Insecticidal activity of bio-silver and gold nanoparticles against Pericallia ricini Fab. (Lepidaptera: Archidae)

Abstract

A laboratory experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of silver aqueous solution, gold aqueous solution, pungamoil, pungamoil-based silver nanoparticles (PO-AgNPs) and pungamoil-based gold nanoparticles (PO-AuNPs), vijayneem against Pericallia ricini larval mortality, development and fecundity and gravimetric analyses. The results showed that Ag+ aqueous solution as well as pungamoil-based gold nanoparticles caused more mortality than commercial neem insecticide (vijayneem). Aqueous solutions of Ag+ and Au+ drastically reduced the body weight of P. ricini larvae. PO-AgNPs and POAuNPs treatment drastically enhanced the food consumption, assimilation but reduced the conversion, subsequently affecting growth. Distinct difference was noticed between PO-AgNPs and PO-AuNPs treatments in larval, pupal and adult developmental periods, fecundity and hatchability. It is recommended to integrate PO-AgNPs and PO-AuNPs in pest management; however, field evaluations and bio-safety assessments were imperative before the utilization of these bio-nanoparticles were recommended.