Mosquito-repellent activity of Star anise (Illicium verum Hook.f.), Bustard cardamom (Amomum villosum Lour.) and Best cardamom (Amomum krervanh Pierre.) essential oils against Aedes albopictus (Skuse)

Abstract

The mosquito repellent activities of essential oils derived from Illicium verum Hook.f., Amomum villosum Lour. and Amomum krervanh Pierre. against Aedes albopictus females were compared with that of a chemical repellent (DEET; N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide). The results showed that the three essential oils at the concentrations of 10% and 5% provided the same 15-minute protection from Ae. albopictus. The essential oils at 1% also provided some 3-minute protection. Comparing the essential oils, it was found that the essential oils at 5% concentration provided the most effective and safe protection against Ae. albopictus, with a protection time of 15minutes, the higher concentration, 10%, provided the same protection rate. DEET at concentrations of 1%, 5% and 10% provided protection times of 15, 30 and 45 minutes, respectively. It can be concluded that the essential oils extracted from I. verum, A. villosum, A.krervanh have a full potential as effective protection against Ae. albopictus females. Although the essential oils were less effective than the synthetic chemical repellent, they are safer to use. It is hereby recommeded that these essential oils were good alternatives and should be further developed into commercial repellent products.