Larvicidal Efficacy of Sea Jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii) against Aedes aegypti Mosquito Larvae

Background: The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a major vector for several viral diseases, including dengue fever, Zika virus, chikungunya and yellow fever, posing significant global health challenges. Traditional control methods rely heavily on chemical insecticides, leading to widespread resistance and environmental concerns. Methods: This study explores the larvicidal potential of Turritopsis dohrnii jellyfish extract as a sustainable alternative for mosquito control. The extract was tested against fourth instar Ae. aegypti larvae at concentrations ranging from 1% to 10%. Results: Mortality rates increased with both concentration and exposure time, with the highest concentration (10%) achieving 98.8% mortality after 24 hours. The LC50 value decreased from 22.50% at 2 hours to 2.06% at 24 hours, indicating increased potency over time. The results demonstrate that T. dohrnii extract is highly effective as a larvicide, with potential to reduce reliance on chemical insecticides. The findings suggest that T. dohrnii extract could be integrated into existing mosquito management programs, offering a novel and environmentally friendly approach to controlling Ae. aegypti populations. Further research is recommended to isolate the bioactive compounds responsible for this effect and to assess the extract's efficacy under field conditions.