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Updated: Feb 20, 2026
Topical Application Bioassay to Quantify Insecticide Toxicity for Mosquitoes and Fruit Flies
Published on: January 19, 2022
Repellent and Insecticidal Efficacy of Four Water-Soluble Formulations of Essential Oils Against Aedes aegypti
Heber Silva-Díaz1,2, Emma Vanesa Arriaga-Deza1,2, Angie Vilma Serrato-Monja3
1Faculty of Human Medicine, University of San Martín de Porres, Chiclayo, Peru, usmp.edu.pe.
Introduction:
Arboviral diseases transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito cause high morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Objective:
To evaluate the repellent and insecticidal efficacy of water-soluble formulations of essential oils impregnated into mosquito nets against the adult stage of A. aegypti.
Methodology:
A randomized laboratory bioassay was conducted using a controlled factorial design to evaluate four essential oil formulations (Eucalyptus globulus, Cymbopogon citratus, Origanum vulgare, and Mentha piperita) at concentrations of 10, 100, and 250 mg/mL. Each experimental group consisted of 60 laboratory-reared adult female A. aegypti specimens. The repellent effect, protection time, and insecticidal effect were evaluated by exposing the insects to a sedated animal bait (Rattus norvegicus albinus) covered with a mosquito net impregnated with the formulations of essential oils and DEET, as a positive control.
Results:
The highest efficacy was seen in C. citratus, E. globulus, and O. vulgare at 250 mg/mL, with 93.3%-100.0% repellent effect and 180 min of protection time, similar to that obtained by 100 mg/mL DEET. The highest insecticidal effect was observed in C. citratus (26.7%) at a concentration of 250 mg/mL, similar to that observed in 100 mg/mL DEET. The repellent effect and protection time varied for each concentration tested, except for the insecticide, in which concentrations of 10 and 100 mg/mL had a similar effect (0%-6%).
Conclusions:
The repellency of water-soluble formulations of essential oils of C. citratus, E. globulus, and O. vulgare at 250 mg/mL, compared to 100 mg/mL DEET, represents a possible and complementary alternative for mosquito control.
