The Efficacy of Silica Nano-Particles on the Inhibition of Oviposition of Tomato Borer, Tuta absoluta

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was conducted to examine the efficacy of silica nano-particles (SNPs) at 500 and 1000 ppm concentrations on oviposition of Tuta absoluta. One month old tomato plants in pots were used and randomly placed in wooden cages (4 pots/cage). Five pairs of adult insects (males and females) were released in each cage. The number of eggs laid by females was recorded four days after insects release. Results showed that SNPs had an inhibitory effect on egg laying by Tuta absoluta, at all tested concentrations. SNPs treatment caused a decrease in eggs number by 71.17, 59.45 and 51.35%, respectively, at 1000, 750 and 500 ppm concentrations, compared with the control. It can be concluded that nano-silica has a potential use as an insecticide to control Tuta absoluta.