Effectiveness of three Commercially Nanoparticles against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) under the Lab. conditions

Abstract

In recent years, Nanotechnology has become the most promising new insect control method. In this study, laboratory experiments were applied to assess the efficacy of three commercial, Aluminium oxide (ANPs), Zinc oxide (ZNPs) and Nanoparticles Silicon oxide (SNPs) on second fifth-instar larvae and adults of Tribolium castaneum (Herb.) as well as the effect of Nanoparticles Silicon oxide (SNPs) on the fecundity of T. castaneum adult females. Beetles were fed on a diet of flour treated with nanoparticles SNPs, ANPs, and ZNPs at different concentrations (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) for each Nanocomposite. The results showed that SNPs and ANPs were significantly more effective than ZNPs at all tested concentrations after 15 days post-treatment. The results also confirmed that Nanoparticle SNPs have significant effects on the number of eggs lying, where the mean number of eggs produced by female adults exposed to dose-respond treated with Nanoparticle at the rate of 50 mg/kg was 0.0, compared with 98.1/ eggs in the control treatment. However, susceptibility showed significant differences in the mortality rate at the end of the experiments between second and fifth-instar larvae and adults treated by all three Nanocomposites. Second and fifth-instar larvae were most susceptible, while adults were least susceptible to nanoparticles. All Nanoparticles SNPs, ANPs, and ZNPs were significant and more effective on insect life at a higher concentration of 200 mg/kg, where the mortality proportion was 100%, 92.5% for 2nd , fifth instar larvae, respectively, and 77.5% for an adult after 15 days post-treatment. Moreover, the result showed that all nanoparticle SNPs, ANPs, and ZNPs can be applied as an alternative tool in the pest management programs of T. castaneum. Keywords: Tribolium castaneum, Nanozinc, Nanoaluminium, nano-silica, storage pest