LARVICIDAL AND ADULT ATTRACTANT EFFICIENCY OF THE EDIBLE MUSHROOM PLEUROTUS PULMONARIUS ON AEDES AEGYPTI AND CULEX SITIENS (DIPTERA, CULICIDAE) MOSQUITOES

Abstract

Mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria, filariasis, Japan encephalitis, chikungunya, dengue fever, yellow fever and other viral diseases, are major public health issues worldwide, especially in tropical and sub-tropical areas. The commercially available edible mushroom Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) (Indian oyster) has been reported to contain octenol. Thus, we assessed the larvicidal and adult female attractant activity of Aedes aegypti (L.) and Culex sitiens Wiedemann of this mushroom. We examined 5 P. pulmonarius extract concentrations for larvicidal tests (120, 12, 1.2, 0.12 and 0.012 mg/L) and 3 concentrations for adult mosquito attraction (100, 10, and 1 mg/L). The results showed that P. pulmonarius extract did not kill Ae. aegypti larvae but had a minimal larvicial effect on Cx. sitiens. While P. djamor extract attracted adult female Ae. aegypti and Cx. sitiens mosquitoes, especially at the 10 mg/L concentration, but no significantly mosquitoes of both species were attracted by the extract compared to octenol. However, this mushroom extract attracted more than 50% of Ae. aegypti adults.