Toxic Effects of Mentha piperita Extract on Culex quinquefasciatus Larvae (Diptera: Culicidae)

Rizal Subahar, Adib Kamil Putra Kadarusman, Fatmawaty , Nurhuda Sahar, Rawina Winita, Lisawati Susanto, Yulhasri , Nadar S. Lubis, Mulyati and Nurhadi Eko Firmansyah

Background and Objective: Mentha piperita (peppermint) contains terpenoids (essential oils) that can destroy the digestive tracts and nervous systems of insects. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of low concentrations of the crude leaf extract of M. piperita on C. quinquefasciatus larvae through histopathological midgut changes and decreased immunoreactivity of octopamine and tyramine. Materials and Methods: The phytochemical analysis of the extract was performed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Culex quinquefasciatus larvae were exposed to different concentrations of the extract. Histopathological changes in the midguts of the larvae were tested by histopathological examination and the immunoreactivity of octopamine and tyramine was measured using an immunohistochemical method. Results: Terpenoids were major components of the M. piperita crude leaf extract. At 24 hrs, the LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values were 2.56 and 6.64 ppm, respectively. The extract caused several histopathological midgut changes, including fragmented food boluses, deformed epithelial cells, disintegrated epithelial layers, damaged microvilli and broken peritrophic membranes. Octopamine and tyramine were detected in the midgut, but their immunoreactivity had decreased. Conclusion: Mentha piperita has the potential to eradicate the population of C. quinquefasciatus as an alternative insecticide.

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