Vector-borne diseases represent the leading causes of death in many tropical countries and most of the countries in the world are not spared from these diseases (Fradin and Day, 2002; Achee et al., 2015; Chua et al., 2023). Insect vectors, particularly female mosquitoes, are hematophagous and responsible for the transmission of malaria, dengue, yellow fever, and filariasis, which cause millions of deaths each year (OMS, 1996; Scott and Morrison, 2010; WHO, 2015). While feeding on humans or animals, female mosquitoes transmit pathogens through their salivary glands (Dégallier et al., 1988; Mueller et al., 2010). Besides, mosquito bites cause severe skin allergy, and systemic reactions such as angioedema and urticaria (Peng et al., 1999).

Aedes aegypti, a dengue fever vector, is also the vector of yellow fever in Central and South America and in West Africa (Were, 2012; Nieto et al., 2013). These diseases have become a public health concern as the number of reported cases is continuously increasing. Therefore, the reduction and even suppression of dengue fever vector proliferation has become a major issue to combat the spread of the disease. Despite the efforts of national programs using various synthetic products and devices for vector control, mosquitoes are still developing resistance to insecticides (Gan et al., 2021). In addition, synthetic insecticides have a negative impact on the environment and disrupt the ecological balance. Most of them are difficult to destroy and are toxic to non-target organisms including humans. The use of mosquito coils containing synthetic pyrethroids and other organophosphorus compounds causes many side effects, such as respiratory problems, eye irritation, headaches, and asthma among users (Govindarajan et al., 2011). By considering these issues, it becomes crucial to find new tools and strategies for selective control of disease-carrying insects. One of the alternatives is the use of biodegradable plant-based products that will not be harmful or toxic for humans. Plants are full of various natural, biodegradable chemical molecules, with medicinal and insecticidal properties. Essential oils (EOs) are frequently extracted from aromatic plants as secondary metabolites and are composed of volatile and complex compounds characterized sometimes by a strong odor.

In recent years, several researchers have investigated the efficiency of EOs against insect pests (Benelli et al., 2012; Chaieb and Pavela, 2019; Murray, 2020; Garrido-Miranda, et al., 2022). For example, Cymbopogon citratus EO was reported for its larvicidal, ovicidal, and repellent activities against the filarial mosquito Culex quiquefasciatus (Pushpanathan et al., 2006). This is also the case of Zanthoxylum limonella EO, reported for the same previous biological activities against both Aedes aegypti and Culex quiquefasciatus (Soonwera and Phasomkusolsil, 2017).

Among the Togolese plants with pharmacological properties, Ageratum conyzoides L., Eucalyptus citriodora Hook, and Lantana camara Linn were selected for the present study based on their traditional uses as insect repellents. Different parts of A. conyzoides, especially leaf extracts are widely used in traditional medicine as anti-hemorrhagic and analgesic (Dash and Murthy, 2011). L. camara according to the study of Rajani on 61 Indian medicinal plants, has displayed antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties (Kumar et al., 2006). In addition, Weenen et al. reported that L. camara extract, traditionally used in the treatment of malaria in Tanzania, really displays good antimalarial activity (Weenen et al., 1990). Finally, E. citriodora like all Eucalyptus species is part of the top-traded EOs in the world. Besides their use as an insecticidal agent and pest repellent, Eucalyptus oils display also antibacterial, anti-fungicidal, and antiseptic activities (Batish et al., 2008; Ben Slimane et al., 2014; Vivekanandhan et al., 2023).

Although many studies have been conducted and focused on the exploration of insecticidal properties of several EOs derived from plants, very little information is available on the insecticidal activity of EOs of A. conyzoides L, E. citriodora Hook, and L. camara Linn against Aedes aegypti.

Keeping this in mind, the present study aims to investigate the chemical composition of EOs obtained from leaves harvested at different daytime and evaluate their efficiency in stopping Aedes aegypti proliferation in order to eradicate dengue fever through environmentally friendly treatments.