Efficacy of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Adding to Two Neonicotinoids Pesticides against Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Aphis gossypii Glover

Abstract

In recent years, pesticide residues have become a danger to the food chain, the environment, and human health. Some nano metal oxides had been applied with pesticides to solve these problems and enhanced their insecticidal Activity. This new technology for the complete mineralization of pesticides is necessary to convert them to non-toxic forms. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effect of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) with some neonicotinoid pesticides (Thioxam 25%WG and Actara 25% WP) against 4th instar larvae of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and cotton aphid, Aphisgossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididea). These cotton pests were allowed to feed on castor leaves after impregnated with pesticides at recommended rate with the composite of ZnO (NPs). Observations showed an increase in mortality (48.57 %, 93.51 % increased mortality). The addition of the ZnO nanoparticles to insecticides increased the insecticidal activities and a reduction (%) against tested cotton pests. The synthesized nano metal oxide was characterized by different techniques as FTIR spectroscopy, TEM and UV spectroscopy used for a determination band gap of the prepared ZnO NPs.  This present study suggests that nanoparticles metal oxide as (ZnO) applying as eco-friendly nanomaterial in the field of pest control.