Biological Sciences

Natural Products Research

The insecticidal properties of Amanita muscaria in relation to use as a domestic insecticide

Fly agaric is one of the most widely recognised fungi, featured in children’s books; video games such as Mario kart and even associated with Christmas. It is stated in literature in the 13th century fly agaric has been successfully used as an insecticide.
It is thought that the name “Fly agaric” originates from the fungi’s ability to “knock out” flies, another theory is that it was named Fly agaric as when consumed by humans it causes hallucinations which alter perceptions i.e. believing you can fly. Linnaeus, the father of taxonomy recorded using fly agaric to “stupefy” flies.

Fly agaric, Amanita muscaria contains ibotenic acid which is considered the active ingredient.

Project aim

This project aims to recreate insecticidal recipes stated in literature in the hope that a natural insecticide can be found for use to tackle the problem of increasing pests around domestic waste. With councils increasing the time in between collecting household waste, pests such as blow flies could become an increasing problem.