Entomotoxic effect of green nanoparticle an alternate strategy for stored grain pest management

Abstract

Corcyra cephalonica (S.) commonly called rice meal moth or rice moth is an important stored-product pest all over the world. The larvae feed on broken grains of cereal, pulses, oilseeds, dried fruits, nuts, and spices by constructing the silken webs. The excessive use of pesticides and chemical compounds used for the management of this pest led to the development of resistance and also harms the environment. To overcome these problems in the recent years, green nanotechnology has emerged as a promising tool for pest control. The present study of the experiment was conducted at the Centre for Nanotechnology Laboratory, UAS, Raichur. The green nanoparticles of zinc, copper, and silica were biosynthesized from Spinach leaves; tulasi leaves and paddy husk respectively, and these nanoparticles were characterized by Zetasizer, UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). The biophysical characterization revealed that the zinc, copper, and silica nanoparticle has Spindle, spherical, and agglomerated spindle-shaped with a mean particle size of 87.94, 84.15 and 23.65 d. nm respectively. The pesticidal effects of these green nanoparticles were used as stored product insect protectants compared to malathion as a standard reference. Data obtained from different concentrations (250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250, and 1500 ppm) of zinc, copper, and silica green nanoparticles indicated that the increase in concentration and exposure period resulted in increase in larval mortality, pupal mortality and adult deformity. Among the different concentrations, 1500 ppm of zinc, copper, and silica nanoparticles proved to be superior. Similarly, of the different nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles excelled followed by zinc and copper nanoparticles.

Copper nanoparticles interfere with insecticide sensitivity, fecundity and endosymbiont abundance in olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Diptera: Tephritidae)

“…27,28 Green synthesized copper-containing NPs showed strong larvicidal activity against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, and the stored grain pests Tenebrio molitor, Corcyra cephalonica, Sitophilus granarius and Rhyzopertha dominica. [29][30][31] In the present study, copper-containing NPs in doses equal to the recommended doses of Cu(OH) 2 showed a differential toxicity to B. oleae adults. Specifically, Cu-NPs exhibited mortality rates similar to that of deltamethrin, while CuO-NPs had a delayed, lower toxic effect against the insect.…”

“…Metal NPs, especially those containing silver, zinc oxide, titanium oxide and copper, have exhibited a great potential as pesticide alternatives against arthropod pests of economic importance, including flies, moths, mosquitos, lice and ticks 27,28 . Green synthesized copper‐containing NPs showed strong larvicidal activity against Anopheles stephensi , Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, and the stored grain pests Tenebrio molitor , Corcyra cephalonica , Sitophilus granarius and Rhyzopertha dominica 29–31 . In the present study, copper‐containing NPs in doses equal to the recommended doses of Cu(OH) 2 showed a differential toxicity to B. oleae adults.…”

Efficiency Evaluation of Silica Nanoparticles as a Pesticide against Ctenocephalides felis

“…On the other hand, Sio2NPs are promising insect control materials that have been tested as alternatives to pesticides and chemical compounds (Salem, 2020). In the same context, Biradar et al (2021) noted the superiority of silica nanoparticles over zinc and copper nanoparticles in eliminating Corcyra cephalonica, indicating that an increase in concentration and exposure period led to an increase in the mortality of the insect in its various phases…”