Issue 11, 2023

Reduction in insect attachment ability by biogenic and non-biogenic ZnO nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanomaterials can represent an environmentally safe method to control different insect pests. The present study investigated the effect of biogenic and non-biogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on the attachment ability of the Southern green stink bug, Nezara viridula, a major agricultural pest. The experiments were conducted on glass surfaces treated with different concentrations of ZnO-NPs, and the attachment ability of adult males of N. viridula was measured through traction force experiments. The results showed that both biogenic and non-biogenic ZnO-NPs reduced the attachment ability of N. viridula, with a significant decrease in traction force observed at concentrations of 12.5 mg L−1 and above. SEM analyses revealed that biogenic and non-biogenic ZnO-NPs aggregated on the attachment devices of N. viridula, including the pulvilli, the hairy pad and claws, disrupting the attachment mechanism. This study suggests that ZnO-NPs, particularly biogenic ZnO-NPs obtained from plant extract, have potential as a natural and eco-friendly pest control agent to reduce insect attachment and damage to crops.

Graphical abstract: Reduction in insect attachment ability by biogenic and non-biogenic ZnO nanoparticles

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
17 Aug 2023
Accepted
27 Sep 2023
First published
16 Oct 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2023,10, 3062-3071

Reduction in insect attachment ability by biogenic and non-biogenic ZnO nanoparticles

M. Rebora, D. Del Buono, S. Piersanti and G. Salerno, Environ. Sci.: Nano, 2023, 10, 3062 DOI: 10.1039/D3EN00545C

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