Abstract

Reports that octenol has been found in some fungi and that it is toxic to insects, alongside others indicating that certain fungi exhibit larvicidal activity, led us to examine a Tremella fuciformis fungus extract as a larvicide. In addition, since octenol is used as an attractant in insect traps, we also tested whether the fungal extract would also prove to be similarly active. T. fuciformis is widely cultivated and edible, and natural products derived from it would be likely be non-toxic in these applications, a distinct advantage over many existing larvicides. Our results indicated that the Tremella fuciformis extract was not effective against Aedes aegypti larvae, and only slightly effective against those of Culex sitiens. However, as an attractant, the extract initiated a good response from Ae. aegypti., and on this basis such an extract could be a useful, inexpensive and eco-friendly way to increase the efficiency of mosquito traps. We believe our results would therefore be of interest to readers practicing in the field of natural product research.

Key words: Tremella fuciformis mushroom, Aedes aegypti, Culex sitiens, larvicidal effect, mosquito attractant effect