Mosquitocidal activity of anthraquinones isolated from symbiotic bacteria Photorhabdus of entomopathogenic nematode

- Two anthraquinones were isolated from Photorhabdus temperata.
- The isolated anthraquinones were highly lethal to larvae of Culex pipiens pallens.
- Anthraquinones might be useful as biopesticides for the mosquito control.

Two anthraquinones were isolated from the symbiotic bacteria Photorhabdus temperata of entomopathogenic nematodes Heterorhabditis spp. by repeated column chromatography. They were abundantly present in the culture medium and identified as 1,3-dimethoxy-8-hydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone and 3-methoxychrysazine by spectral analysis. The isolated anthraquinones were highly lethal to larvae of Culex pipiens pallens. Our results suggest that anthraquinones might be useful as biopesticides for the biological control of mosquitoes.