SiO2 Applications as an Alternative to Insect Control in Greenhouses

Abstract

Silicon dioxide (SiO2) has been extensively studied as an alternative method to pest management chemical applications in agriculture. The present work aimed to evaluate the insecticidal efficacy of different SiO2 nanoparticle formulations and their effectiveness when integrated into the textiles of an insect-proof net. For this reason, Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium confusum were exposed to three inert dust formulations, namely Sylobloc® S200, S200-OH, and S200MEC, to investigate their effect on the mortality of the aforementioned stored-product insects. The results of a series of bioassays showed that Sylobloc® S200 was the most effective nanoparticle among all the formulations tested. Thus, five samples of the same 50 mesh size insect-proof net were coated with the S200 nanoparticle, followed either by different coating repetitions or by the addition of paraffin. T. confusum was indicated as the most tolerant species, as the recorded mortality rate was significantly low when exposed to all samples tested. However, the mortality rate of S. oryzae was strongly related to the coating repetition, in addition to the exposure intervals. The highest mortality (70%) was detected after seven days of exposure to the net and consisted of three coating repetitions, while no paraffin was added to its surface. The results of the present study underline the insecticidal efficacy of SiO2 treated nets against storage insects, and their subsequent application in greenhouses for the control of more susceptible insects.