Introduction: Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are important vectors that transmit arboviruses to human populations. Methods: Natural products were obtained and tested against larvae collected from the field in Fortaleza, capital of Ceará state. Results: The essential oils of Syzygium aromaticum (Ae. aegypti LC 50 = 32.7 ppm and Ae. albopictus LC 50 = 138.1 ppm) and Croton nepetaefolius (Ae. aegypti LC 50 = 81.7 ppm and Ae. albopictus LC 50 = 76.1 ppm) showed the most intense larvicidal activity. Conclusions: The essential oils and methyl esters showed greater larvicidal activity than did the ethanol extracts.

The mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are vectors of arboviruses that cause dengue, zika and chikungunya. Bioactive compounds from plants are environmentally sustainable alternatives to control these vectors and thus the arboviruses transmitted by them. The present study evaluated the larvicidal activity of an acetogenin-rich fraction (ACERF) and its main constituent annonacin obtained from Annona muricata seeds on Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The larvicidal assays were performed using different concentrations to calculate the LC50 and LC90 values observed 24 h after exposure to the treatment. Annonacin was more active against Ae. aegypti (LC50 2.65 μg·mL−1) in comparison with Ae. albopictus (LC50 8.34 μg·mL−1). In contrast, the acetogenin-rich fraction was more active against Ae. albopictus (LC50 3.41 μg·mL−1) than Ae. aegypti (LC50 12.41 μg·mL−1). ACERF and annonacin treated larvae of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus showed significant differences in the inhibition of their metabolic enzymes when compared to untreated larvae. The results demonstrate the relevant larvicidal action of the acetogenin-rich fraction and annonacin showing the potential to develop new products for the control of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus.

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