Role of Nanoparticles in Stored-Product Insect Pest Management: A Review

Abstract

Currently, nanotechnology has provided numerous solutions to the problems of using chemical pesticides, especially in controlling insect pests of stored, because of its specifications that make it promising in the field of controlling insect pests. One of the most important specifications that characterize nano­insecticides is the small size of their particles and increased surface area, as well as the range of shapes they can take, including nano emulsions, nanocapsules, nano suspensions, etc. Soon, it is anticipated that nanopesticides will transition from the research stage to practical application and production field due to the accelerating pace in the amount of research in this specialty. Support for this viewpoint comes from the diversity of methods for synthesizing nanoparticles, which include chemical, physical, and biological methods. 'This review highlights a wide range of tested nanoparticles, such as silver nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, and others, which have been applied to a wide range of stored product insect pests, including Tribolium castaneum, Sitophilus oryzae and Callosobruchus maculatus among others. Despite their promise, nanopesticides require further evaluation, especially in their impact on health, the environment, and the fate of these nanoparticles after treatment, so that they do not face the same failures that have occurred with chemical pesticides.