Contrasted Ethnobotanical and Literature Knowledge of Anti-Mosquito Plants from Guadeloupe

TL;DR

This study explores traditional plant-based remedies used in Guadeloupe to combat mosquitoes, identifying 22 plants with anti-mosquito properties, 12 of which are newly reported.

Contribution

The study identifies 12 previously unreported plant species in Guadeloupe with potential anti-mosquito properties, emphasizing the value of ethnobotanical knowledge.

Findings

22 plants were confirmed for traditional anti-mosquito use by local informants.

12 of these plants had not been previously documented in scientific literature for mosquito control.

Cymbopogon citratus was the most cited plant with 93.3% frequency of citation.

Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases are a major public health issue, especially in tropical regions like the Caribbean. In Guadeloupe, traditional knowledge about plants has been passed down through generations but remains poorly documented today. This study aimed to record and analyze the medicinal plants used by the local population to fight mosquitoes through a digital survey involving 216 local informants. Based on interviews, several species reputed for their repellent or insecticidal properties were identified from a list of 38 surveyed plants. Our findings provide valuable insights for 22 plants that were confirmed by respondents for their traditional use against mosquitoes. We also identified 12 species that have not previously been reported in the scientific literature for mosquito control. This study highlights the rich but declining traditional knowledge in Guadeloupe and underscores the potential of its flora for developing natural, eco-friendly solutions to help reduce the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito, vector of dengue, is a major public health threat in the Caribbean. In Guadeloupe, where dengue outbreaks occur frequently, traditional plant-based remedies are part of the local heritage but remain poorly documented. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-mosquito potential of 38 Guadeloupean plants through an ethnobotanical survey. A semi-structured online questionnaire was conducted over five months, targeting the plant knowledge of residents. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied to identify and validate relevant species. Ethnobotanical indices such as Frequency of Citation (FC), Fidelity Level (FL), and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were calculated. Out of the 38 surveyed plants, 22 were confirmed for their traditional anti-mosquito uses. The most cited species included Cymbopogon citratus (93.3%), Artocarpus altilis (25%), and Pimenta racemosa (18.3%). Comparative analysis with existing literature showed that 12 of these plants had not been previously reported for vector control. This highlights the value of ethnobotanical approaches for discovering alternative, eco-friendly vector control options and the importance of preserving traditional knowledge. The study reveals both the high potential of Guadeloupean flora and the risk of cultural erosion, supporting further research into the bioactive compounds of the most cited species.

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