Larval and gut enzyme toxicity of n-hexane extract Epaltes pygmaea DC. against the arthropod vectors and its non-toxicity against aquatic predator

Abstract

© 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. The crude n-hexane extracts Epaltes pygmaea (NH-Epx) displayed a steady larval toxicity against Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti at the maximum dosage of 125 ppm. The level of α- and β carboxylesterase activity was downregulated to the sub-lethal dosage of NH-EPx (75 ppm) in both vectors. The level of GST and CYP450 gets upregulated. The LC50 and the LC90 of NH-EPx were observed at 63 and 117 ppm and 73 and 120 ppm dosage against both the vectors, respectively. NH-EPx treatment showed morphological alterations in the gut tissues. The non-target screening recommends that NH-EPx is safe against aquatic predator.