Abstract

Background:
The increasing resistance of mosquitoes to conventional chemical insecticides has encouraged the search for effective alternative control agents.

Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal activity of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) against the four larval instars of Culex pipiens under laboratory conditions.

Methods:
Five concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 ppm) were tested using 50 larvae per instar with five replicates. Larval mortality was recorded after 24 h of exposure at 25 °C.

Results:
Larval mortality increased in a concentration‑dependent manner for all instars. The highest mortality (100%) was recorded at 2 ppm, whereas no mortality occurred in the control treatment.

Conclusion:
Silver nitrate demonstrated strong larvicidal activity against Culex pipiens larvae and may represent a promising alternative larvicide. The increasing resistance of mosquitoes to conventional chemical insecticides has encouraged the search for effective alternative control agents. Silver nitrate (AgNO₃) was evaluated for its larvicidal activity against the 4 larval instars of Culex pipiens under laboratory conditions. Five concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 ppm) were tested using 50 larvae per instar with 5 replicates. Mortality was assessed after 24 h of exposure at 25 °C. Larval mortality increased in a concentration-dependent manner, with the highest mortality observed at 2 ppm. These findings suggest that silver nitrate at appropriate concentrations may serve as a promising larvicidal agent.

Key words: Culex pipiens; Larval instars; Larvicidal activity; Mosquito control; Silver nitrate.