Aedes aegypti larvae mortality by Ilex paraguariensis fruit extracts depends on distinct geographical origins

Aedes aegypti is vector of many viral diseases. Mosquito control has relied on synthetic insecticides, with growing demand for alternative methods. Our aim was to evaluate the Ae. aegypti larvae mortality by Ilex paraguariensis fruit extracts from different population origins and to identify the chemical compounds with larvicidal activity. Ae. aegypti larvae were exposed by 24h, 48h, and 72h to concentrations of 150, 300, 600, 1000, 2000 ppm of fruit extract, individually repeated for population origin. All fruit extracts showed larvicidal effect, greater and directly proportional to the exposure time and concentration. Effects possibly addressed to the anti-bactericidal and larvicidal activity of the identified chemical compounds. Population origin influenced larval mortality, especially increased in populations "B" (71.85% - 72h exposure) and "E" (100% - 72h exposure), which was related to the compounds found. The compounds with most efficient larval mortality were associated with folic acid (by blocking DNA production) and linoleic acid (high larvicidal effect). I. paraguariensis fruit extracts from plants originally from populations with greater genetic distance showed greater difference in their larvicidal potential. This result indicates greater influence of the genetic content over the fruits chemical composition, once all plants were grown under the same environmental conditions.