Larvicidal activity of Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus campestris against the Aedes aegypti larvae

Abstract

Aedes aegypti is the vector for dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. Control of the vector mosquito is difficult due to development of resistance to insecticides. In the present study, we used the methanolic extract of Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus campestris to assess mosquito larvicidal activity against third instar larvae of Aedes aegypti following standard protocols of laboratory testing based on the World Health Organization guidelines. Our results showed that methanol extracts of Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus campestris showed larvicidal activity. The LD50 and LD90 value was found to be 122.45 ppm and 424.53 ppm respectively for Agaricus bisporus. The LD50 and LD90 of Agaricus campestris was found to be 92.45 ppm and 360.29 ppm respectively. The chi-square values were significant at P < 0.05 level. In conclusion, these results suggest that Agaricus bisporus and Agaricus campestris possess bio-active compounds that could be considered as a natural larvicidal agent against Aedes aegypti.