Aniba rosaeodora essential oil as a potent, eco-friendly larvicide against Aedes albopictus.

Mosquito-borne diseases pose a significant threat to global health, necessitating innovative and sustainable vector control strategies. Aedes albopictus, a key vector, requires effective larvicidal agents to mitigate its spread. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the larvicidal efficacy of Aniba rosaeodora essential oil (AREO) against A. albopictus larvae, assess its cytotoxic and neurotoxic mechanisms, and explore its potential as a sustainable alternative to conventional mosquito larvicides. The larvicidal activity of AREO was tested against A. albopictus larvae by measuring its concentration- and time-dependent toxicity. Histological analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to examine cytotoxic effects on larval tissues. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition was assessed to determine neurotoxic mechanisms. AREO demonstrated significant larvicidal activity, with LC50 values of 40.225 and 10.382 ppm at 24 and 48 h, respectively. Histological analysis revealed midgut epithelial disintegration, whereas SEM confirmed structural damage to the cuticle. AREO exhibited potent AChE inhibition (78.8 % at 100 ppm compared with the control), indicating a neurotoxic mode of action. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report AREO as an effective larvicidal agent against A. albopictus. Despite its limitations, such as the need for field trials and broader ecotoxicity studies, AREO shows promise as a sustainable alternative to conventional mosquito larvicides.