How to translate text using browser tools
1 July 2007 Field Evaluation of Traditionally Used Plant-Based Insect Repellents and Fumigants Against the Malaria Vector Anopheles darlingi in Riberalta, Bolivian Amazon
Sarah J. Moore, Nigel Hill, Carmen Ruiz, Mary M. Cameron
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Inexpensive insect repellents may be needed to supplement the use of impregnated bed-nets in the Amazon region, where the primary malaria vector, Anopheles darlingi (Root), is exophilic and feeds in the early evening. Three plants that are traditionally used to repel mosquitoes in Riberalta, Bolivian Amazon, were identified by focus group, and then they were tested against An. darlingi as well as Mansonia indubitans (Dyar & Shannon)/Mansonia titillans (Walker). Cymbopogon citratus (Staph), Guatemalan lemongrass, essential oil at 25% was used as a skin repellent, and it provided 74% protection for 2.5 h against predominantly An. darlingi and 95% protection for 2.5 h against Mansonia spp. Attalea princeps (name not verified) husks, burned on charcoal in the traditional way provided 35 and 51% protection against An. darlingi and Mansonia spp., respectively. Kerosene lamps, often used to light rural homes, were used as a heat source to volatilize 100% Mentha arvensis (Malinv ex. Bailey) essential oil, and they reduced biting by 41% inside traditional homes against Mansonia spp., although they were ineffective outdoors against An. darlingi. All three plant-based repellents provided significant protection compared with controls. Plant-based repellents, although less effective than synthetic alternatives, were shown by focus groups to be more culturally acceptable in this setting, in particular para-menthane-3, 8, idol derived from lemon eucalyptus, Corymbia citriodora (Hook). Plant-based repellents have the potential to be produced locally and therefore sold more cheaply than synthetic commercial repellents. Importantly, their low cost may encourage user compliance among indigenous and marginalized populations.

Sarah J. Moore, Nigel Hill, Carmen Ruiz, and Mary M. Cameron "Field Evaluation of Traditionally Used Plant-Based Insect Repellents and Fumigants Against the Malaria Vector Anopheles darlingi in Riberalta, Bolivian Amazon," Journal of Medical Entomology 44(4), 624-630, (1 July 2007). https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-2585(2007)44[624:FEOTUP]2.0.CO;2
Received: 11 November 2006; Accepted: 28 February 2007; Published: 1 July 2007
JOURNAL ARTICLE
7 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
Anopheles darlingi
Cymbopogon citratus
Mansonia spp
plant-based
repellent
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top