Larvicidal mechanisms of terpenes against mosquito vectors: A systematic review

Terpenes are plant-derived secondary metabolites known for their larvicidal activity against mosquitoes of the genera Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles, vectors of infectious diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, West Nile fever, and malaria. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the mechanisms of action of terpenes, focusing on their molecular targets, physiological effects, and factors influencing their efficacy. Studies of monoterpenes, monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpenoids, and triterpenoids published up to September 2025 were retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE/LILACS, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and SciELO. Identified molecular targets involve multiple pathways, including neuroenzymatic interference, mitochondrial dysfunction, digestive epithelial damage, and induction of oxidative stress. The most frequently studied pathways were acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and Sterol Transport Protein-2 (SCP-2) inhibition, and the most studied compounds were limonene, thymol and α-humulene. Terpenes exert their effects through neurotoxicity, AChE inhibition, SCP-2 modulation, mitochondrial impairment, and morphological alterations in larvae of Aedes spp., Culex spp and Anopheles spp. Larval sensitivity varied between genera, with Culex spp. being most affected by SCP-2 pathway inhibition, Aedes spp. by oxidative changes, and Anopheles spp. by enzymatic dysfunctions of the nervous system. This review demonstrated that terpenes and terpenoids act through multiple, overlapping mechanisms, including inhibition of molecular pathways, morphological damage, and behavioral disruption. These findings highlight the potential of terpenes and terpenoids as promising eco-friendly alternatives for controlling mosquito arboviruses vectors.