International journal of medicinal mushroomsFeb 27, 2019

Effects of the Sulphur Polypore Mushroom from Tamil Nadu, India on Mosquito Larvae, Eggs, and Tissue Damage

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Updated Apr 5, 2026

Abstract

The methanol extract of Laetiporus sulphureus demonstrated 96% larvicidal activity against Anopheles stephensi and 76% against Culex quinquefasciatus at various concentrations.

Half-maximal lethal concentrations were identified as 155.862 ppm for A. stephensi and 227.225 ppm for C. quinquefasciatus.
Ninety percent lethal concentrations were found to be 424.128 ppm for A. stephensi and 1011.663 ppm for C. quinquefasciatus.
The extracts exhibited strong ovicidal activity, achieving 100% effectiveness against A. stephensi and 91% against C. quinquefasciatus at a concentration of 500 ppm after 120 hours.
No toxicity was observed in a nontarget organism tested with the methanol extract.
Histopathological analysis of treated larvae indicated significant cellular damage in the midgut.

Simplified

This study was conducted to determine the mosquitocidal activity of 6 species of higher Basidiomycetes collected from various places in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. The mushrooms were identified using MycoKey MMI software. We used morphological characteristics such as size, color, height, width (of the cap, lamellae, stipe, and fruiting body), spore deposits, and the presence or absence of ring to identify species. Eggs and larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles stephensi were exposed to various concentrations (62.5, 125.0, 250.0, and 500.0 ppm) of extracts from the 6 mushrooms. The extracts were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide. Among the 6 mushrooms, the methanol extract of Laetiporus sulphureus showed high toxicity toward mosquitoes at different life stages, with 96% larvicidal activity against A. stephensi and 76% activity against C. quinquefasciatus. After 24 hours, we found half-maximal lethal concentrations of 155.862 ppm for A. stephensi and 227.225 ppm for C. quinquefasciatus, and 90% lethal concentrations of 424.128 ppm for A. stephensi and 1011.663 ppm for C. quinquefasciatus. The extracts also showed strong ovicidal activity against mosquito eggs: 100% activity against A. stephensi and 91% activity against C. quinquefasciatus were observed at an extract concentration of 500 ppm 120 hours after treatment. The methanol extract of L. sulphureus was tested for toxicity against a nontarget organism, but we found none. Histopathological studies of the treated larvae revealed serious damage to cells in the midgut. These results suggest that the methanol extract of L. sulphureus is a good natural source for controlling mosquitoes.

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Effects of the Sulphur Polypore Mushroom from Tamil Nadu, India on Mosquito Larvae, Eggs, and Tissue Damage

Abstract

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