On searching for bioinsecticides virulent to mosquito larvae; Culex pipiens, nine
seaweeds species were screened. In this study, different dried seaweeds were applied
into the mosquito larvae rearing jars. The effect of these seaweeds on the survival,
larval development and growth rate of the mosquito Culex pipiens larvae was
measured. The percentage of dead larvae fed with seaweeds species after 10 and 15
days were 50%, 90% respectively. Delayed pupation and body size reduction of the
mosquitoes larvae fed with seaweeds were observed. The study showed that Caulerpa
prolifera, Caulerpa serrulata, Jania rubens, Nitophyllum punctatum, Cystoseira
myrica and Padina pavonica have potential to be used as larvicidal agents acting
mainly to increase life cycle intervals and pupation delay.