Evaluation Of Marigold (Tagetes Erecta) Leaves As A Natural Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Repellent

This study was carried out to evaluate marigold (Tagetes erecta) leaves as a natural mosquito repellent. This experiment was conducted during March to June 2023 at Entomology Laboratory, EXIM Bank Agricultural University Bangladesh. Marigold leaf extract was tested in three replications at four different concentrations (100ml, 75ml, 50ml and 25ml) to evaluate the efficacy of mosquito larvae. To compare the repellent activity of marigold-based coils with commercial coils on adult mosquitoes, 25 adult mosquitoes were tested with three replications. Data were collected from 25 randomly selected individuals to determine how they responded to marigold-based coils. The highest concentration (100ml) resulted in an impressive mean percentage of 88% mosquito larvae mortality after 24 hours of exposure, highlighting the potent larvicidal potential of marigold leaf extract. The marigold-based coil demonstrated remarkable efficacy in controlling adult mosquitoes. Although it took slightly longer (39.67 minutes) than the commercial coil (16.34 minutes) to kill mosquitoes, it showed sustained and consistent efficiency over time. The evaluation of mosquito repellent activity by respondents indicated a preference for mosquito coils (64%) as the primary method of repelling mosquitoes. Respondents perceived a moderate reduction (52%) in mosquito attacks when using the marigold-based coil and rated its repellent effectiveness as moderate (52%) to high (28%). While some participants reported side effects, including offensive smell (45%), eye burning (20%), breathing problems (15%), and coughing (15%). There was the absence of any adverse impact on non target organisms. Marigold leaves showcase promising potential as a natural larvicide for mosquito control. The marigold-based coil demonstrates moderate to high repellent effectiveness on adult mosquitoes, with the added advantage of being free from toxic side effects. These findings emphasize the superiority of the marigold-based mosquito coil as a valuable and environmentally friendly mosquito repellent option, offering an effective solution for mosquito control.