Xiaojie Liu , Zhongqi Wu

Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang AandF University, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China
Author    Correspondence author
Journal of Mosquito Research, 2026, Vol. 16, No. 1   
Received: 03 Feb., 2026    Accepted: 05 Mar., 2026    Published: 15 Mar., 2026

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Anopheles gambiae is one of the principal vectors of malaria and remains a major target in mosquito control programs. However, the widespread development of insecticide resistance has reduced the effectiveness of conventional chemical interventions, creating an urgent need for alternative control agents. This review summarizes laboratory-based evaluations of plant extracts for the control of A. gambiae, with emphasis on their larvicidal, adulticidal, and repellent activities. It also examines the chemical composition of these extracts, including the identification of major bioactive compounds, and discusses their possible mechanisms of action at physiological, enzymatic, and cellular levels. In addition, the review considers safety issues, such as toxicity to non-target organisms and environmental persistence, and compares plant-derived products with synthetic insecticides. Overall, plant extracts show considerable promise as eco-friendly and sustainable tools for mosquito management, although further studies are needed to standardize formulations and validate their field efficacy.

Anopheles gambiae; Plant extracts; Mosquito control; Larvicidal activity; Insecticide resistance