Average duration of pro-estrous, estrous, met-estrous and di-estrous stages in one oestrous cycle of female Indian gerbil, Tatera indica was found 0.61, 0.38, 0.62 and 1.37 days, respectively with total average duration of one cycle to be 2.99 days. Pairing of cyclic female gerbils with mature males resulted in 88% breeding success within gestation period of 21-24 days. Post-partum estrous was observed immediately after parturition in females not separated from males. Observations on onset of sexual maturity in female pups of seven different age groups (30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 days old) revealed significant increase in body weight and weights of ovary and uterus, plasma level of estradiol and activity of 3â-HSD in ovarian tissue with increasing age. Sexual maturity in female T. indica was attained at age of 3-4 months. It is therefore suggested to apply control measures before they reproduce and cause damage to crops.

In the present study, nanoemulsified essential oil of Eucalyptus globulus was analysed for its chemical composition and larvicidal activity against mosquito Aedes aegypti. GC-MS analysis revealed presence of total 22 compounds, of which the major ones were 1, 8-cineole (42.16%) and P-cymene (14.81%). Non polar fractions of oil were sonicated by mixing it in water with Tween 20 in different ratios, and 1:2 ratio was found to be the most stable. This was characterized using TEM and found to have spherical droplets of 20-40 nm. Nanoemulsified oil was found to be effective at 70 ppm with LC50 and LC90 of 51.95 and 64.21 ppm, respectively. SEM studies showed significant shrinkage and disruption of various larval body parts post treatment.

Nanotechnology has emerged as promising field in insect pest management. Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) a well-known vector of dengue, chikungunya, and dengue haemorrhagic fever has no commercial management practice for their eradication at the larval stage. In the present study, copper sulphide one of the most detoxified form of copper with biopotential properties was synthesised by standard methodology using sonochemical irradiation method and was evaluated for their larvicidal potential against Ae. aegypti. Treated larvae were observed for various morphological changes as compared to control. Larvae were most susceptible to CuSNPs at 7 ppm showing 100% mortality within 24 h. LC50 and LC90 values calculated with the help of POLO software were 4.42 and 5.73 ppm. The epithelium layer of treated larvae was damaged as compared to control. Remarkable results of copper sulphide nanoformulations at low dosage against Ae. aegypti larvae advocates their further exploration for vector control programmes.

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