Efficiency of Nano-formulations of Neem and Peppermint Oils on the Bionomics and Enzymatic Activities of <i>Agrotis ipsilon</i> Larvae (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

Nanotechnology is considered to be a development way to gain efficient and potential approaches towards pest control. The effect of both neem and peppermint oils as bulk, nano and loaded nano-emulsions have been studied against the different biological aspects of the 2 nd larval instar of Agrotis ipsilon (Hufn.) under laboratory conditions. Their effects on enzymatic activities were investigated for the 2 nd and 4 th larval instars. The effects of adding the different formulations of either neem or peppermint oils to artificial diet of 2 nd instar larvae show significant elongation of the larval duration; percentage mortalities were increased as well as larval malformations. It was recorded that nano-formulations (emulsion or loaded) significantly decreased the pupal weight and significantly increased the pupal duration, percentage pupal mortalities and pupal malformation. Adult longevity show insignificant effect, while female fecundity and percentage egg fertility show significant decrease in comparison with the control. Results of enzymatic activities show marked effects of the three formulations of either neem or peppermint oil. Significant inhibitions were recorded for amylase, invertase, trehalase, protease and alkaline phosphatase. However, significant increase in the activities of cuticle phenoloxidase and chitinase were recorded. Marked variations were recorded between nano-formulations and the bulk form.

Methanolic Extract of Winter Cherry Causes Morpho-Histological and Immunological Ailments in Mulberry Pyralid Glyphodes pyloalis

“…Digestion is a process of interactions taking place between chemicals (enzymes) produced by the same set of cells of midgut that absorb the nutrients. The activity of selected enzymes including, αamylase, αand β-glycosidase, lipase and general proteases were affected and reduced particularly 72 h post treatment, which supports our previous results that the nutritional reductions follows the lower activity of enzymes (Rharrabe et al, 2008;Khosravi et al, 2010;Hasheminia et al, 2011) and other reports are also indicative in inhibition of important enzymes in their respective studies (Senthil-Nathan, 2013;Amin et al, 2019). George et al (2018) reported the presence of a lectin in Withania leaves which showed insecticidal, growth inhibition and could also damage the secretory cells of midgut.…”

“…Detoxification is a phenomenon for reduction of the toxic effects of exogenous compounds that may be received by any organism (Amin et al, 2019). Two important detoxifying compounds are esterases and glutathione-s-transferases.…”

Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Cyantraniliprole on the Biology and Metabolic Enzyme Activities of Two Lepidopteran Pests, Spodoptera littoralis and Agrotis ipsilon, and A Generalist Predator, Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

“…A. ipsilon is also a major polyphagous pest that damages more than 30 important crops worldwide [ 20 ]. The larvae of A. ipsilon can consume more than 400 cm 2 of foliage during their development [ 21 , 22 ].…”