Effects of extract of soapnut Sapindus emarginatus on esterases and phosphatases of the vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

► Total proteins, esterases, and phosphatases exhibited distinct patterns of variation during normal development of fourth instar larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti. ► The aqueous extract of the soapnut Sapindus emarginatus exhibited a strong antimosquito activity against the larvae, and moderate effect on the pupae of A. aegypti. ► Upon exposure of the larvae to the extract, perceptible changes in quantitative and qualitative profiles were observed especially with β-carboxylesterase, acid and alkaline phosphatases. ► Only alkaline phosphatase was found to be sensitive in the extract-exposed pupae. ► The extract accomplishes its antimosquito activity by multiple modes of action.