COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN THE OVICIDAL AND LARVICIDAL PROPERTIES OF CRUDE EXTRACT OF PAW-PAW LEAVES AND ADULTICIDAL ACTIVITY OF CARYOPHYLLENE ISOLATED FROM CARICA PAPAYA LEAVES CRUDE EXTRACT AGAINST AEDES MOSQUITOES.

ABSTRACT Mosquitoes pose a severe threat to the environment as vectors of numerous harmful diseases affecting humans and animals. They transmit pathogens that cause dengue, chikungunya, malaria, zika, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, and filariasis. Nowadays, mosquito control strategies heavily rely on the use of chemical insecticides. However, the widespread use of chemical insecticides has resulted in pollution, bio‐magnification, and other health and environmental issues. This study compares the ovicidal and larvicidal properties of crude extract of Carica papaya against Aedes mosquitoes eggs and larvae and adulticidal properties of caryophyllene, a bioactive compound isolated from Carica papaya crude extract against Aedes adult mosquitoes. Laboratory experiments were conducted using varying concentrations (2ml, 4ml, 6ml, 8ml, and 10ml) of crude extracts from Carica papaya leaves. The study measured the mortality rates of mosquito eggs, larvae, and adults at different time intervals. The results showed that 8ml and 10ml concentration of the crude extract achieved maximum result by completely inhibiting egg hatching within 24 hours, while the same concentration also achieved 100% mortality of larvae within 60 minutes. Additionally, significant adult mortality was observed, particularly at higher concentrations, though adult mosquitoes required longer exposure times for effective knockdown. These findings demonstrate that caryophyllene exhibits strong insecticidal properties against Aedes mosquitoes across all life stages, making it a promising natural alternative for mosquito control. The study affirm that caryophyllene can be integrated into pest management strategies to combat mosquito-borne diseases, offering a sustainable solution with fewer environmental and health risks compared to traditional chemical insecticides. Further research is recommended to optimize its use and explore potential synergies with other natural insecticides.