This work investigated the effect of the co-culture of Auricularia polytricha AP with Irpex lacteus CD2 on the lignocellulolytic enzymes activities, lignocellulosic degradation and pyrolysis characteristics of corn stover. The results showed that the lignocellulolytic enzyme activities of the co-culture exceeded that of the monoculture. Although no lignolytic activity was detected, I. lacteus CD2 could significantly degrade lignin. The co-culture lignin degradation ratio was between that of A. polytricha AP and I. lacteus CD2 and increased quickly during the first 20 days, then trended to exceed that of I. lacteus CD2 after 20 days. Co-culture degradation ratios of cellulose and hemicellulose exceeded that of both monocultures. Thermogravimetry and kinetic parameter analysis showed that the initial pyrolysis temperature and activation energies of biotreated samples were lower than that of the control. Biopretreatment decreases the onset pyrolysis temperature and activation energy thus enhancing the thermal decomposition reaction. However, there were not significant differences between the co-culture and I. lacteus CD2. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.