Paper Title
Larvicidal Activity of a Medicinal Plant Ecballium Elaterium Against Culex Pipiens Larvae

Abstract
In Algeria, Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) is the species of mosquito which has the most of interest because of its broad geographical distribution, its abundance and its harmful effect, especially in the urban areas. Plants seem to be alternative sources, instead of conventional pesticides, because they are safe and have low toxicity to non target animals. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the larvicidal activity of a medicinal plant, Ecballium elaterium, against Culex pipiens mosquito, under laboratory conditions. The toxicological assays were carried out using the plant infusion, with different concentrations (15, 30, 60 and 100g/l), on the fourth instar larvae of Culex pipiens, for 24 hours as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), to determine the two lethal concentration LC50 and LC90 which are 25.53 and 156.8 g/l respectively. The obtained results showed a highly significant effect of this plant with all tested concentrations, with concentrtion response relation-ship mortality, for the treated larval stage. Keywords - Culex pipiens, Ecballium elaterium, pesticides, medicinal plant.