Mosquitoes are generally controlled by conventional insecticides which poses strong secondary effects on the environment. In this context, the present study examines the chemical composition of the essential oil of Mentha pulegium (Lamiaceae) and its Larvicidal activity against the two mosquito species Culex pipiens and Aedes caspius.
Culex pipiens and Aedes caspius larvae were collected in the year 2015 from untreated areas located at Tébessa (Northeast Algeria). Aerial parts of Mentha pulegium were harvested during April 2015 from the Tebessa area. After the dryness, the plant material was subjected to hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. Chemical composition of the essential oil was determined using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Toxicity test was made on the fourth-instar larvae according to the World Health Organization recommendations. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis led to the identification of 14 components. Pulegone (72.50%), Eucalyptol (10.44%) and P-menthone 2-ethyl-5-propyle (5.46%), are the major constituents. Biological test revealed that the M. pulegium essential oil exhibits a larvicidal activity and A. caspius is more sensitive than C. pipiens larvae.
M. pulegium essential oils, constitute an alternative to the conventional insecticides for controlling mosquitoes.
