Efficacy of Fusarium concentricum as a Natural Insecticide against Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762)

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

• Ryon Michajlo S. Lagman, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Reuben Miguel Felix, De La Salle University

Document Types

Paper Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Food, Nutrition, and Health (FNH)

School Name

De La Salle University - Laguna

Track or Strand

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

De Padua, Jewel C.

Start Date

25-6-2026 10:30 AM

End Date

25-6-2026 12:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

DLSU Laguna Campus (In-person) - Enrique K. Razon Jr. Hall - EKR 404

Abstract/Executive Summary

Aedes aegypti is a global pest species and a vector of diseases, such as dengue, especially in tropical countries. This has caused people to use insecticides for population control. The use of entomopathogenic fungi as an alternative biocontrol agent is gaining interest due to its host-specificity and low toxicity to humans. Particularly, the Fusarium genus, commonly known as a plant pathogen, has shown entomopathogenic potential. To determine its efficacy, an adulticidal bioassay was done. Ten cold-anesthesized Ae. aegypti adults were placed in direct contact with a fresh culture of F. concentricum and were observed for 20 days. To test for the effect of its secondary metabolites, a larvicidal assay was done using the crude extract of F. concentricum with concentrations of 100, 10, and 1 ppm, by immersing 25 Ae. aegypti larvae and observed for 24 and 48 hours. F. concentricum adulticidal assay resulted in an average corrected mortality rate of 11.11%. The larvicidal capacity of F. concentricum’s secondary metabolites, however, was more significant, as the 100-ppm solution induced a corrected mortality of 65.22%, while the 10 ppm and 1 ppm solutions failed to induce mortalities. This demonstrates the insecticidal potential of F. concentricum against Ae. aegypti. F. concentricum on its own can be a biocontrol agent, whereas its secondary metabolites have potential as a biopesticide. Future studies are recommended to conduct other bioassays and field tests, test other extract concentrations, and study synergistic effects with other insecticides.

Keywords

adulticidal; Aedes aegypti; entomopathogenic fungi; Fusarium concentricum; larvicidal; secondary metabolites

Initial Consent for Publication

yes

Statement of Originality

yes