Carbon nanotubes as control agents against the Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium Everts (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

Abstract

This may be attributed to the facts that nanotechnology has shown an excellent ability to control the release pattern of active ingredients of pesticides, so that it can achieve long-term functions more effectively, thus overcoming the problems of agricultural runoff and residual pesticide accumulation. In addition, Nanopesticides have shown greater solubility and stability of active ingredients, which can effectively control pests (Akhtar et al.,2020). In this study, the insecticidal relative toxicity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) synthesized from seeds of Iraqi date palm Phoenix dactylifera L. using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method was investigated. These Nanoparticles were evaluated against adult and larvae of the Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium. The results indicated that CNTs (25, 50 and 100 ppm) caused mortality of the Khapra beetle under laboratory conditions. Additionally, the germination percentage of wheat, Triticum aestivum L. grains, has not been affected by the carbon nanotube treatments at 25-100 ppm. This study demonstrates the potential of CNTs as a technology for population control of T. granarium because of their toxicity to larvae and adults.