The toxicity of Asarum heterotropoides root steam distillate compounds to third instar larvae of Culex pipiens pallens, Aedes aegypti, and Ochlerotatus togoi (formerly Aedes togoi) was examined using a direct contact mortality bioassay. Results were compared with those following the treatment with fenthion and temephos. A. heterotropoides root steam distillate exhibited good larvicidal activity (21.07-27.64 ppm), based on LC50 values. Potent activity was produced by safrole (LC50, 8.22-16.10 ppm), terpinolene (11.85-15.32 ppm), -terpinene (12.64-17.11 ppm), (–)-β-pinene (12.87-18.03 ppm), (+)-limonene (13.26-24.47 ppm), 3-carene (13.83-19.19 ppm), and α-phellandrene (13.84-23.08 ppm), although the larvicidal activity of these compounds was less toxic than either fenthion (LC50, 0.023-0.029) or temephos (0.016-0.020). A. heterotropoides root steam distillate and its constituents described merit further study as potential mosquito larvicides for protection from humans and domestic animals from vector-borne diseases and nuisance caused by mosquitoes.

• Haribalan Perumalsamy(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Nam-Jin Kim(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)
• Young-Joon Ahn(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University)