Efficacy of three insect repellents against the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis

Abstract

Three commercial repellents marketed in South Africa: Bio-Skincare (BSC, oils of coconut, jojoba, rapeseed and vitamin E), Mosiguard towelletes with 0.574 g quwenling (p-menthane-3,8-diol, PMD) and the standard deet (15% diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, Tabard lotion), were compared against a laboratory colony of the mosquito Anopheles arabiensis Patton (Diptera: Culicidae), the predominant malaria vector in South Africa. Human forearms were treated with 1.2 g BSC, 0.8 g PMD towelette or 0.5 g deet and exposed to 200 hungry An. arabiensis females for 1 min, at intervals of 1-6 h post-treatment. Tests were conducted by three adult male volunteers (aged 30-45 years, crossover controlled test design for 3 consecutive days), using their left arm for treatment and right arm for untreated control. Biting rates averaged 39-52 bites/min on untreated arms. All three repellents provided complete protection against An. arabiensis for up to 3-4 h post-application; deet and PMD gave 90-100% protection up to 5-6h, but BSC declined to only 52% protection 6h post-treatment. These results are interpreted to show that all three repellent products give satisfactory levels of personal protection against An. arabiensis for 4-5 h, justifying further evaluation in the field.

Biology and host range of Aconophora compressa, a candidate considered as a biocontrol agent of Lantana camara in Africa

“…Furthermore, although these species are currently not utilized commercially, Li. javanica is used as a tea and the extracts of Lippia species may be used as an alternative mosquito repellent (Govere et al, 2001). Some agents released for the control of L. camara accept a wider host range under laboratory conditions than in the field (Baars and Neser, 1999;Baars, 2000) and various papers discuss the conservative nature of host range tests under confined conditions (Harris and Zwo¨lfer, 1968;Wapshere, 1974Wapshere, , 1989Wapshere et al, 1989;Baars, 2000).…”

Effectiveness of Zanthoxylum piperitum-derived essential oil as an alternative repellent under laboratory and field applications

“…The most widely used synthetic compound, DEET (N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, formerly known as diethyl-m-toluamide), is currently most effective and available in various commercial formulations such as solutions, lotions, gels, creams, aerosols, sticks, and impregnated towelettes (Golenda et al 1999;Govere et al 2000). However, limitations in the success of applying DEET and other synthetic repellents, on account of toxic effects, usually occur after long-term use or misapplication; and undesirable effects such as unpleasant odor, uncomfortably sticky skin, and damage to plastics and synthetic cloth or rubber (Govere et al 2000;Fradin 1998) highlight the need for alternatives, particularly repellents of botanical origin.…”

Repellent Activities of Stereoisomers ofp-Menthane-3,8-diols AgainstAnopheles gambiae(Diptera: Culicidae)

“…A monoterpene of relatively low volatility, p-menthane-3,8-diol, obtained from lemon eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora), known for a long time in China for its mosquito repellent properties, has shown particular promise in this regard (Curtis et al 1991, Trigg 1996, Trigg and Hill 1996, Govere et al 2000. Formulations of the diol compare favorably with those of deet in repelling important Afrotropical malaria vectors, Anopheles gambiae Giles, An.…”

“…funestus Giles, and An. arabiensis Patton (Trigg 1996, Trigg and Hill 1996, Govere et al 2000. The repellent has also been found to be effective against midges, ticks, and the stable ßy (Trigg and Hill 1996).…”