Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the potential of nanoparticles synthesized from neem leaves in pest management for Bactrocera dorsalis. Methods: This study involves extracting the insecticidal properties of neem (Azadirachta indica) by fermenting air-dried leaves with rice wash. The crude fermented neem extract (FNE) was applied as a biopesticide against male B. dorsalis in an improvised olfactometer. The remaining crude extract was utilized in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) and copper nanoparticles (CuNP). The insecticidal activities of FNE and the extracts with AgNP and CuNP were tested against B. dorsalis. Findings: The experimental treatments 100% FNE and 20% FNECuNP have the same effect as the positive control, causing the death of adult male fruit fly of 83.33% mortality rate after 24 h. The treatment 20% FNE-AgNP showed a higher mortality rate, 100%, after 24 h. Likewise, the results of the larvicidal activities infer that the most effective treatment with a mortality rate of 100% after 24-h exposure is the extract with silver nanoparticles. Moreover, the neem extract, FNE-AgNP, and FNE-CuNP exhibited ovicidal properties, suppressing the development of eggs into third instar larvae. Fermented neem extract can be used to formulate biopesticide enhanced with nanoparticles for controlling B. dorsalis. Novelty: This study showed that the fermented neem leaves extract using rice wash is effective in the green synthesis of silver and copper nanoparticles. The prepared biopesticide metal nanoparticles can be used in the management of B. dorsalis. Keywords: Silver nanoparticles; Copper nanoparticles; Insecticidal; Bactrocera dorsalis; Azadirachta indica
Highlights
Fruit flies [Diptera: Tephritidae] are among the utmost economically significant pest species globally[1]
The procedure for the synthesis of AgNP and CuNP was described by Paragas, Cruz and Fiegalan (2020) [26] with some modifications
The crude extract changes in color when subjected to different pH during the optimization procedure for nanoparticle synthesis
Summary
Fruit flies [Diptera: Tephritidae] are among the utmost economically significant pest species globally[1]. The genus Bactrocera is widely dispersed throughout tropical Asia, the South Pacific, Australia, and other countries, including parts of America and Oceana and the sub-Saharan countries. They are well-documented invaders because of their superior mobility, high reproductive rates, and extreme polyphagy levels. Bactrocera dorsalis is the most invasive species in many typical host fruits and vegetables [2]. Various technologies have been utilized for area-wide control of Bactrocera fruit flies and related species throughout Asia and the Pacific [3,4,5,6]. The male annihilation technique was the oldest but is being modified with new lures, lure mixtures and dispenser formulations [3]
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