Insecticidal activities of Ling Zhi or Reishi medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum (W. Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) extract against Tribolium castaneum and Drosophila melanogaster.

摘要

The possibility of insecticidal activities of Ganoderma lucidum extract against Tribolium castaneum Herbst. (Coleoptera, Tenebrionidae) and Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. (Diptera, Drosophilidae) using direct contact, fumigation, and the addition of extracts in the diet was studied. Observations suggest that G. lucidum could contain repellent, antifeedant, or even toxic compounds that are possibly active against a wide range of insects. Responses varied with treatment type, insect species, and exposure time. In a test with a filter paper diffusion method at 3.5 mg/cm2, insecticidal activity against T. castaneum (larvae and adults) after 5 days was low (10%), but against D. melanogaster, total mortality (100%) was observed. In a fumigation test at 3.5 mg/cm2, 100% mortality (in larvae and adults) was observed within 4 hours post-treatment in closed containers, for both insects. The addition of extracts into the diet at a concentration of 0.05% resulted in the growth inhibition of larvae of T. castaneum and of pupae of D. melanogaster. With this treatment, lower mortality was observed in the adults and larvae of T. castaneum and in larvae of D. melanogaster (5%, 10%, and 15%), but higher mortality (35%) was recorded in the adults of D. melanogaster.