OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to validate the effectiveness of the ovicidal-larvicidal (OL) trap with the pelletized extracts of Piper nigrum L. in attracting female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes for oviposition and in reducing teh number of larvae hatched, thus preventing the emergence of adult mosquitoes.

METHODS: The OL trap system containing the developed plant-based pellets from Piper nigrum L. was field tested in Marikina and Quezon City. Paired OL traps were installed outdoors in 150 selected houses in each city. The OL trap is composed of a black painted can, a small strip of lawanit (paddle) for oviposition and extracts of Piper nigrum L. as the ovicide-larvicide solution or plain water. Pelletized form of Piper nigrum L. was prepared by grinding the seeds then mixing it with 1% previously cooked starch solution at a ratio of 1:1 followed by extrusion and forming into pellets using a granulator then drying. The number of positive OL traps was recorded. Larval mortality and the Ovitrap Index were also determined.

RESULTS: Four collections were made using the pelletized form in which 2,314 OL traps were collected. The OL traps with the pelletized form showed a 53.2% attraction which is significantly higher than that with water (p-value<0.0001). The percent egg and larval mortality in both cities was recorded at 86.2% while adult emergence is 13.8%. The Ovitrap Index in Marikina was in the range of 53% to 68% while OL traps with water have an Ovitrap Index range of 39% to 65%. In Quezon City, OL traps with the pelletized admixture have an Ovitrap Index range of 35% to 50% while those with water have a range of 31% to 36%.

CONCLUSION: The overall results indicate that the developed OL trap system with Piper nigrum L. is effective in attracting Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The OL traps with extracts of Piper nigrum L. were also found to be lethal to larvae.