Larvicidal-Ovicidal Activity of Piper nigrum L to Aedes aegypti and its Efect on the Oviposition Behavior 55 VOL. 46 NO. 3 2012 ACTA MEDICA PHILIPPINA ORIGINAL ARTICLE _______________ Corresponding author: Annabelle V. Briones Industrial Technology Development Institute DOST Complex, Gen. Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City Telephone: +632 8372071 local 2216 E-mail: avbriones2003@yahoo.com Effects of Aqueous and Pelletized Admixture of Piper nigrum L. on the Oviposition Behavior of Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes and its Larvicidal-Ovicidal Activity Annabelle V. Briones, Alicia G. Garbo, Edmar P. Casa, Hermelina H. Bion, Nuna E. Almanzor and Severino T. Bernardo Industrial Technology Development Institute Department of Science and Technology DOST Complex, Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines Introduction Despite efforts to control dengue, the incidence of cases has continued to increase in alarming proportions following its re-emergence as a potentially fatal disease after the second World War. In the absence of a specific anti-viral drug and while vaccine is still in the trial stage of development, control methods are currently being directed against the vector mosquito. Adulticiding and larviciding using insecticides or breeding sources reduction are one of the most commonly used methods to reduce the mosquito population. Insecticides, although effective, should be discouraged because of the danger it poses for the environment and the possibility of the insect’s development of resistance to insecticides. Researches are being done to identify a variety of plants that may be used as an alternative source of mosquito control agents. In 2011, researchers reviewed 185 phytochemicals that are of paramount importance in the control of mosquito population. 1 A study by Patricio et al. 2 examines the in vitro effect of dried black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) whole fruits on Aedes aegypti L. mosquitoes. In this study, different concentrations of extracts were assayed against 3 rd to 4 th instar larvae and it was discovered that dried black pepper is a potential agent to control mosquito in larval stages. There is another study which found that Piper nigrum L. prepared as paminta- treated sawdust exhibits larvicidal property. 3 A. aegypti were known to breed in storage containers. They locate their hosts and oviposition sites by using chemical signals and various physical stimuli detected in the antennae. 4 Using oviposition attractants such as Piper nigrum L. and ovicide-larvicide (OL) traps, the Aedes mosquito