Mosquitocidal Activity of the Pale Brittle Stem Mushroom, Psathyrella candolleana (Agaricomycetes), against Three Vector Mosquitoes.

The aim of the present study was to screen for mosquito larvicidal activity of methanol extract of a wild mushroom Psathyrella candolleana against Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti, and Anopheles stephensi. Larvae and eggs were exposed to four different concentrations (62.5, 125, 250, and 500 ppm) and mortality was assessed 24 and 120 h after treatment. The LC50 and LC90 values of the extract were calculated. Methanol crude extract of P. candolleana showed good larvicidal activity against the third instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus with LC50 and LC90 values of 166.713 and 259.17 ppm, respectively, after 24 h of exposure. No larvicidal activity was observed against Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi. The methanol extract of P. candolleana presented 88% ovicidal activity against Cx. quinquefasciatus at 500 ppm concentration 120 h after treatment. The active methanol extract was tested for toxicity against non-target organism and found was to have no toxicity. Histopathological studies of the treated larvae revealed serious damages to the midgut cells. The mushroom species was confirmed by 5.8S rRNA sequence and phylogenetic tree was constructed. These results suggest that the methanol extract of P. candolleana could be used in Cx. quinquefasciatus control programs as a new eco-friendly larvicide.