Larvicidal, miracidiacidal and cercaricidal activities of the Egyptian plant Iris pseudacorus.
The larvicidal properties of Iris pseudacorus leaves ethanol extract against second-instar larvae of two mosquito species, Culex pipiens and Aedes caspius (Diptera: Culicidae) were studied. It was observed that the larvicidal effect of this extract was dose-dependent. The LC50 values of I. pseudacorus against C. pipiens and A. caspius were 10.36 and 16.43 mg/l within 24 hr, and 7.36 and 10.1 mg/l within 48 hr, respectively. The miracidiacidal and cercaricidal properties of I. pseudacorus extract were directly tested against Schistosoma mansoni miracidia and cercariae and a time-concentration relationship was observed. The concentrations needed to kill all miracidia (LC100) within 5 min., 30 min. and an hr of exposure were 2.7, 1.6 and 0.9 mg/l respectively. The concentrations needed to kill all cercariae (LC100) within 5 min. 30 min. and an hr of exposure were 1.5, 1.0 and 0.6 mg/l respectively.