Bougainvillea flowers and mosquito larvae symbolizing natural dengue control research.

Ditch the Chemicals: Can These Plant Extracts Beat Dengue Mosquitoes?

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the potential of common plants like bougainvillea and Saraca asoca to naturally control Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that spreads dengue and chikungunya."

Dengue fever is a major health threat, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, known for its ability to breed in urban environments and bite during the day, spreads this disease, leading to significant illness and, in some cases, death. While various methods exist to control mosquito populations, many involve chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and may become ineffective over time due to resistance.

In the quest for safer and more sustainable solutions, scientists have been exploring the potential of plant-based alternatives. Plant extracts offer a promising avenue for mosquito control, but challenges such as accessibility and accurate identification have limited their widespread use. However, the need for alternative solutions is crucial, particularly as conventional insecticides like temephos become less effective.

Now, a new study shines a light on the effectiveness of common plants as natural larvicides. Researchers investigated the potential of Bougainvillea spectabilis (bougainvillea), Saraca asoca, and Chenopodium album extracts to combat Aedes aegypti larvae. This article explores the findings of this research, revealing how these readily available plants could offer a practical and eco-friendly approach to managing mosquito populations and curbing the spread of dengue fever.

Bougainvillea and Saraca asoca: Nature's Mosquito Fighters?

Bougainvillea flowers and mosquito larvae symbolizing natural dengue control research.

The research focused on testing aqueous extracts from three common plants against Aedes aegypti larvae under controlled laboratory conditions. The scientists carefully monitored the mortality rates of the larvae after exposure to different concentrations of the plant extracts to determine their effectiveness as larvicides.

Chenopodium album showed limited success, but excitingly, Bougainvillea spectabilis and Saraca asoca extracts proved remarkably effective in killing Aedes aegypti larvae. The LC50 values (the concentration required to kill 50% of the larvae) for Bougainvillea spectabilis and Saraca asoca were found to be 0.26% and 0.22%, respectively. These results suggest that relatively low concentrations of these plant extracts can significantly impact mosquito populations.

Bougainvillea spectabilis: Demonstrated a LC50 value of 0.26%, indicating its potency in killing mosquito larvae.
Saraca asoca: Showed a LC50 value of 0.22%, slightly more effective than Bougainvillea spectabilis in the experiment.
Chenopodium album: Exhibited limited larvicidal activity and was not considered as effective as the other two plants.

These findings highlight the potential of readily available plants to serve as effective mosquito control agents. Unlike synthetic insecticides, these plant extracts offer a more environmentally friendly alternative, reducing the risk of harmful side effects. Plus, these plants are already commonly grown for ornamental purposes, making them easily accessible in many regions.

A Greener Future for Dengue Prevention?

The study's results offer a promising outlook for dengue prevention. By using readily available and eco-friendly plant extracts, communities can take a more sustainable approach to mosquito control, reducing their reliance on harmful chemicals.

While the research highlights the effectiveness of Bougainvillea spectabilis and Saraca asoca, it's important to remember that further research is needed to optimize extraction methods, assess long-term impact on ecosystems, and determine the best ways to implement these natural larvicides in real-world settings. Gaining a better understanding of the specific phytochemicals responsible for the larvicidal effects is also crucial for developing standardized and effective plant-based mosquito control products.

The discovery of these natural mosquito fighters marks an important step towards a more sustainable and healthier approach to disease prevention. As we continue to explore the potential of plant-based solutions, we can look forward to a future where dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases are managed with environmentally friendly and accessible tools.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2018.07.013, Alternate LINK

Title: Evaluation Of Bioactivity Of Aqueous Extracts Of Bougainvillea Spectabilis, Saraca Asoca, And Chenopodium Album Against Immature Forms Of Aedes Aegypti

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Medical Journal Armed Forces India

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Anmol Sharma, Rina Tilak, Nikhil Sisodia

Published: 2019-07-01

Everything You Need To Know

How does the Aedes aegypti mosquito spread dengue fever, and why is finding alternative control methods important?

Dengue fever is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which thrives in urban environments and bites during the day. This mosquito transmits the dengue virus, leading to illness and, in severe cases, death. Control methods often rely on chemicals, but these can harm the environment and lose effectiveness over time due to mosquito resistance. Alternative solutions using plant extracts are being explored.

What plants were examined in the study, and how did researchers test the effectiveness of their extracts against Aedes aegypti larvae?

The study focused on aqueous extracts from Bougainvillea spectabilis, Saraca asoca, and Chenopodium album. Researchers tested these extracts against Aedes aegypti larvae in a lab setting. They measured the mortality rates of the larvae after exposure to different concentrations of the plant extracts to determine how effective they were as larvicides. Chenopodium album showed limited success, but Bougainvillea spectabilis and Saraca asoca extracts proved remarkably effective.

What does the LC50 value indicate about the effectiveness of Bougainvillea spectabilis and Saraca asoca as larvicides?

The LC50 value represents the concentration of a substance required to kill 50% of a test population. For Bougainvillea spectabilis, the LC50 value was 0.26%, while for Saraca asoca, it was 0.22%. This indicates that relatively low concentrations of these plant extracts can significantly impact mosquito larvae populations, making them potent natural larvicides. The lower the LC50, the more effective the plant extract is at killing mosquito larvae.

Are Bougainvillea spectabilis and Saraca asoca more advantageous compared to chemical methods, and what makes them suitable for mosquito control?

Yes, Bougainvillea spectabilis and Saraca asoca offer several advantages. They are more environmentally friendly than synthetic insecticides, reducing the risk of harmful side effects. These plants are also commonly grown for ornamental purposes, making them easily accessible in many regions. The ease of access and reduced environmental impact make them promising alternatives for mosquito control. However, the study does not explicitly detail how to prepare and apply these extracts in real-world settings, which would be crucial for widespread adoption.

What are the potential implications of using plant extracts like Bougainvillea spectabilis and Saraca asoca for dengue prevention in the future?

Using plant extracts such as Bougainvillea spectabilis and Saraca asoca could lead to more sustainable mosquito control practices. This approach reduces reliance on chemical insecticides, which can harm ecosystems and become ineffective due to mosquito resistance. Widespread adoption of these plant-based methods could create healthier environments and decrease the incidence of dengue fever in affected regions. Further research is needed to optimize extraction and application methods for maximum effectiveness in diverse settings. The long-term effects on non-target species also warrant investigation.