Larvicidal Effect of Pure and Green-Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles against Tribolium castaneum (Herb.) and Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.)

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles seem to be an excellent alternative option to control insect’s pests due to their unique characteristics. In addition, the plant mediated synthesized silver nanoparticles have important applications in the field of biology, agriculture and environmental due to their safety. The present work aims to study the activity of pure and green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NP’s) against Tribolium castaneum and Callosobruchus maculatus. The biosynthesized Ag NP’s by N. olrander were characterized by UV-visible spectra, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM). Larvae of T.castaneum and C. maculates were exposed to different concentrations of pure and green-synthesized silver nanoparticles and Nerium oleander leaf extract (500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ppm). Although the Larvicidal effect of pure silver nanoparticles against larvae of T. castaneum (mainly first larval instar with LC₅₀ value 2.019) and C. maculates (with LC₅₀ value 3.366) , the green-synthesized silver nanoparticles have more larvicidal effect. while Nerium extract have a less effect on all larval instars of T.castaneum (LC₅₀ value against first instar 3.853) and larvae of C. maculates (LC₅₀ value 4.332),  The green-synthesized silver nanoparticles have more Larvicidal effect than pure silver nanoparticles and N. oleander leaf extract.

Keywords: Callosobruchus maculatus, Tribolium castaneum, silver nanoparticles, and Nerium oleander.