Biological Control Of Insects Research Articles

Appropriate selection of organic hybrid sweet corn varieties can positively influence both the effectiveness of the insect biological control agent Beauveria bassiana and fungal disease resistance

Appropriate selection of organic hybrid sweet corn varieties can positively influence both the effectiveness of the insect biological control agent Beauveria bassiana and fungal disease resistance

Analysis of Genes Associated with Feeding Preference and Detoxification in Various Developmental Stages of Aglais urticae.

Herbivorous insects and host plants have developed a close and complex relationship over a long period of co-evolution. Some plants provide nutrients for insects, but plants' secondary metabolites also influence their growth and development. Urtica cannabina roots and leaves are poisonous, yet Aglais urticae larvae feed on them, so we aimed to clarify the mechanism enabling this interaction. At present, studies on the detoxification mechanism of the A. urticae are rare. In our study, first, we used the A. urticae larval odor selection behavior bioassay and choice feeding preference assay to analyze the feeding preferences of A. urticae on its host plant, U. cannabina. Next, we used transcriptome sequencing to obtain the unigenes annotated and classified by various databases, such as KEGG and GO. In this study, we found that U. cannabina could attract A. urticae larvae to feed via scent, and the feeding preference assay confirmed that larvae preferred U. cannabina leaves over three other plants: Cirsium japonicum, Cannabis sativa, and Arctium lappa. The activity of detoxifying enzymes GST and CarE changed in larvae that had consumed U. cannabina. Furthermore, through transcriptomic sequencing analysis, 77,624 unigenes were assembled from raw reads. The numbers of differentially expressed genes were calculated using pairwise comparisons of all life stages; the expression of detoxification enzyme genes was substantially higher in larvae than in the pupal and adult stages. Finally, we identified and summarized 34 genes associated with detoxification enzymes, such as UDP-glucose 4-epimerase gene, 5 Glutathione S-transferase genes, 4 Carboxylesterase genes, 4 Cytochrome P450 genes, 10 ATP-binding cassette genes, 4 Superoxide dismutase, and Peroxidase. Moreover, we identified 28 genes associated with the development of A. urticae. The qRT-PCR results were nearly consistent with the transcriptomic data, showing an increased expression level of four genes in larvae. Taken together, this study examines the correlation between A. urticae and host plants U. cannabina, uncovering a pronounced preference for A. urticae larvae toward host plants. Consistent with RNA-seq, we investigated the mechanism of A. urticae's interaction with host plants and identified detoxification-related genes. The present study provides theoretical support for studying insect adaptation mechanisms and biological control.

Utilization of Metarhizium as an insect biocontrol agent and a plant bioinoculant with special reference to Brazil.

Brazil has a long history of using biological control and has the largest program in sugarcane agriculture to which a biocontrol program has been applied. This achievement is at least partly due to the utilization of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium. This well-known fungal genus exhibits pathogenicity against a broad range of arthropod hosts and has been used globally as a biocontrol agent. This fungus is also a root symbiont, and in this capacity, it is a plant growth promoter. However, this feature (i.e., as a plant symbiont) has yet to be fully explored and implemented in Brazil, although the number of reports demonstrating Metarhizium's utility as a plant bioinoculant is increasing. The Brazilian bioproduct industry targets agricultural pests, and is limited to two Metarhizium species represented by four fungal isolates as active ingredients. Entomopathogenic fungi have also been successful in controlling arthropods of public health concern, as shown in their control of mosquitoes, which are vectors of diseases. The isolation of new indigenous Metarhizium isolates from a variety of substrates such as soil, insects, and plants shows the wide genetic diversity within this fungal genus. In this review, we emphasize the significance of Metarhizium spp. for the biological control of insects in Brazil. We also suggest that the experience and success of biological control with fungi in Brazil is an important resource for developing integrated pest management and sustainable strategies for pest control worldwide. Moreover, the future implementation prospects of species of Metarhizium being used as bioinoculants and possible new advances in the utility of this fungus are discussed.

Less is more: Less herbicide does more when biological control is present in Pontederia crassipes

An experiment along with simulation modeling was applied to study the combinations of herbicide treatment and biological control that best limit invasive water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes, formerly Eichhornia crassipes) in freshwater aquatic systems. The experiment consisted of 14 different treatments of P. crassipes in 1.67 m2 outdoor tank mesocosms. Seven treatments were with and seven were without insect biological control agents, Neochetina eichhorniae. In both of the sets of seven treatments, there was one no-herbicide treatment, a one-time full-strength herbicide treatment with 40 %, 80 % and 100 % coverage of the P. crassipes, and a one-time half-strength herbicide treatment with 40 %, 80 %, and 100 % surface area coverage. An overarching hypothesis was that leaving part of a tank unsprayed, providing habitat for the maintenance of biological control agents, would optimize control. Data from the experiment, measured on five days over the 167-day period, were used to calibrate a difference equation model of P. crassipes with and without the biological control agent. The model was then used to project longer term dynamics of the system. The model predicted that an initial one-time herbicide treatment, combined with application of the biocontrol agent at 80 % areal coverage, could maintain P. crassipes at levels lower than the carrying capacity of the plant's biomass over the long term, though not enough that N. eichhorniae would be considered, by itself, a highly effective control. However, the results suggest that a combination of biocontrol with 80 % spraying coverage every 600 days or so would be an effective integrated biocontrol strategy for maintaining decreased P. crassipes biomass at low levels over the long term.

Viral Prevalence and Genomic Xenology in the Coevolution of HzNV-2 (Nudiviridae) with Host Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Insect viruses have been described from numerous lineages, yet patterns of genetic exchange and viral prevalence, which are essential to understanding host-virus coevolution, are rarely studied. In Helicoverpa zea, the virus HzNV-2 can cause deformity of male and female genitalia, resulting in sterility. Using ddPCR, we found that male H. zea with malformed genitalia (agonadal) contained high levels of HzNV-2 DNA, confirming previous work. HzNV-2 was found to be prevalent throughout the United States, at more than twice the rate of the baculovirus HaSNPV, and that it contained several host-acquired DNA sequences. HzNV-2 possesses four recently endogenized lepidopteran genes and several more distantly related genes, including one gene with a bacteria-like sequence found in both host and virus. Among the recently acquired genes is cytosolic serine hydroxymethyltransferase (cSHMT). In nearly all tested H. zea, cSHMT contained a 200 bp transposable element (TE) that was not found in cSHMT of the sister species H. armigera. No other virus has been found with host cSHMT, and the study of this shared copy, including possible interactions, may yield new insights into the function of this gene with possible applications to insect biological control, and gene editing.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of naturally occurring pathogenic fungi for Pontederia crassipes (water hyacinth) in South Africa

ABSTRACT The excessive proliferation of Pontederia crassipes poses serious threats to freshwater bodies in many parts of the world. This aquatic weed causes severe ecological and economic losses worldwide. In South Africa, research has focused on the release of insect biological control agents associated with P. crassipes, with eight insect agents, and only one fungus released to date. Fungi have been explored as a safe method for the management of P. crassipes, due to their ability to cause and spread a vast array of weed diseases. In this study, naturally occurring fungi associated with P. crassipes were surveyed, isolated, and identified using culture methods to determine their prevalence and pathogenicity to P. crassipes. Forty-two fungal isolates were morphologically identified as belonging to genera Alternaria, Fusarium, Epicoccum and Colletotrichum. Subsequently, molecular techniques and bioinformatics confirmed the identity of the fungi that were most pathogenic as Fusarium incarnatum, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium equiseti. In whole plant bioassays, these fungi caused 68, 63 and 54% disease infection, respectively, by the end of six weeks, and thus may be considered for future developments into bioherbicides. Moreover, F. incarnatum exhibited 97% disease severity during in vitro assays. This study is also the first to report F. incarnatum occurrence on P. crassipes in South Africa.

A sustainable grower-based method for entomopathogenic nematode production.

Entomopathogenic nematodes in the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis, produced through in vitro or in vivo methods, are effective insect biological control agents. In vivo production yields good-quality nematodes, but the costs associated with obtaining insects and labor make this production system have a low economy of scale. Conceivably, if growers can produce their own nematodes, then the cost could be reduced. Grower-based production systems described to-date are not sustainable because they rely on outside sources to obtain or calibrate inoculum. Here, we describe a self-sufficient grower-based system where the grower can produce in-house nematodes after obtaining the initial inoculum from a reliable source. We validated our approach in 2 experiments comparing in vivo nematode production from standard White traps and a grower-based approach using polyacrylamide gel. For both tested species, Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar, the grower-based approach produced equal to or more nematodes than the standard method. For example, when comparing the average yield of S. carpocapsae-infective juveniles per Galleria mellonella cadaver (n = 30), the standard White trap method produced 159,114 ± 9,669, whereas the grower-based approach produced 244,029 ± 16,241. The sustainable system described herein has promise for wide adoption by growers.

Scientists’ warning on loss of insect biodiversity and implications for sustainable agriculture

Climate change is a long-term shift in global or regional climate patterns. Climate change is among the biggest environmental challenges, humans face in the 21st century. The most imminent climatic change in recent times is the increase in atmospheric temperatures due to increased levels of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), ozone (O3), nitrous oxide (N2O) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), largely because of industrialization and burning of fossil fuels, etc. The term biodiversity is the short form of ‘biological diversity. As per the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), biodiversity means the variability among all living organisms from all sources including inter alia terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part. Climate change is among the major environmental challenges for humans with catastrophic effects on faunal (especially insect) biodiversity and agricultural production. Insect biodiversity provides an array of indispensable services in agricultural production including pollination, nutrient recycling and natural control of pests. Special efforts are required for conserving and identifying insects and elucidating their role in ecosystem functioning. Intensive research, constant surveillance, early detection and rapid response are essential to face the emerging pest and disease threats to crop production. Insect Conservation, landscape heterogeneity, biological control and IPM are the keys to environmentally benign and climate-resilient crop protection for sustainable agricultural production in the future.

How aggressive interactions with biomimetic agents optimize reproductive performances in mass-reared males of the Mediterranean fruit fly

Mass-rearing procedures of insect species, often used in biological control and Sterile Insect Technique, can reduce the insects competitiveness in foraging, dispersal, and mating. The evocation of certain behaviours responsible to induce specific neuroendocrine products may restore or improve the competitiveness of mass-reared individuals. Herein, we used a mass-reared strain of Ceratitis capitata as model organism. C. capitata is a polyphagous pest exhibiting territorial displays that are closely related to its reproductive performance. We tested if the behaviour of C. capitata males could be altered by hybrid aggressive interactions with a conspecific-mimicking robotic fly, leading to more competitive individuals in subsequent mating events. Aggressive interactions with the robotic fly had a notable effect on subsequent courtship and mating sequences of males that performed longer courtship displays compared to naïve individuals. Furthermore, previous interactions with the robotic fly produced a higher mating success of males. Reproductive performances of C. capitata males may be improved by specific octopaminergic neurones activated during previous aggressive interactions with the robotic fly. This study adds fundamental knowledge on the potential role of specific neuro-behavioural processes in the ecology of tephritid species and paves the way to innovative biotechnological control methods based on robotics and bionics.

Effect of visible light and ultraviolet light on the pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi to false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) larvae

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are effective and environment-friendly insect biological control agents. Ultraviolet (UV) light is known to have an effect on the survival of fungal conidia, and natural sunlight is potentially one of the most damaging factors undermining EPF persistence and pathogenicity. This study aimed to test the infection potential of an isolate of Beauveria bassiana and five Metarhizium species after exposure to different light treatments, on soil and leaf surfaces under laboratory and field conditions, using Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) as the test host. Conidia were exposed either to growth light alone, which emits the same visible light as the sun, but excluding UV light, or directly exposed to UV light for 12 h. The results indicated no negative effect on the infection potential of the conidia of most species tested. The conidia of the two Metarhizium pinghaense (5HEID and TH149) isolates showed the greatest tolerance to visible light and UV radiation exposure on both soil and leaf surfaces. Exposure of M. pinghaense isolates to visible light on soil surfaces showed pathogenicity of > 80% for both isolates, and of between 58% and 88% after exposure to UV light. On leaf surfaces, three Metarhizium isolates, M. pinghaense (5HEID and TH149) and M. majus (TH153) had > 90% pathogenicity following exposure to UV light, and M. pinghaense (TH149) and M. robertsii (6EIKEN) showed greater tolerance of > 70%, under laboratory conditions. However, the pathogenicity of the EPF isolates was very low in field trials, indicating that further trials on the use of formulations and adjuvants with the isolates are needed to improve long-term persistence and efficacy under field conditions.

Effective concentration of entomopathogens Beauveria bassiana (Bals) Vuil as biological control agents for Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda JE Smith) is an invasive pest that attacks corn plants. This pest control can be done using several techniques. Biological control for S. frugiperda is using the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. The study to obtain an effective concentration of the entomopathogenic fungus B. bassiana for controlling S. frugiperda. The study was conducted at the Insect Bioecology Lab and Biological Control Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Andalas. The study was designed in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments and was repeated five times. The treatments consist of a suspension of the fungi B. bassiana with different densities, namely 106, 107, 108, 109 conidia/ml and control (aquadest + tween 80). Parameters observed were larval mortality, percentage of Pupae formed, percentage of adults offsprings, and the number of normal and defective adults as well as male and female adults. Data were analyzed by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), further tested with LSD at a 5% level, and analysis probit to known LC100. The results showed that the higher the concentration, the higher the mortality of the larvae. The effective suspension of B. bassiana as control of S. frugiperda was a concentration of 109, caused larvae mortality percentage of 84%, Pupae formation of 4%, adults offspring 2%, and sex ratio male: female (1:0), normal and abnormal adults 0:1. To get larvae mortality up to 100%, the LC100 is 1018 conidia/ml.

Heterologous Expression and Bioactivity Determination of Monochamus alternatus Antibacterial Peptide Gene in Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris)

Insects have evolved to form a variety of complex natural compounds to prevent pathogen infection in the process of a long-term attack and defense game with various pathogens in nature. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) are important effector molecules of the insect immune response to the pathogen invasion involved in bacteria, fungi, viruses and nematodes. The discovery and creation of new nematicides from these natural compounds is a key path to pest control. A total of 11 AMPs from Monochamus alternatus were classified into 3 categories, including Attacin, Cecropin and Defensin. Four AMP genes were successfully expressed by Komagataella phaffii KM71. The bioassay results showed that the exogenous expressed AMPs represented antimicrobial activity against Serratia (G-), Bacillus thuringiensis (G+) and Beauveria bassiana and high nematicide activity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. All four purified AMPs' protein against B. xylophilus reached LC50 at 3 h (LC50 = 0.19 mg·mL-1 of MaltAtt-1, LC50 = 0.20 mg·mL-1 of MaltAtt-2 and MaltCec-2, LC50 = 0.25 mg·mL-1 of MaltDef-1). Furthermore, the AMPs could cause significant reduction of the thrashing frequency and egg hatching rate, and the deformation or fracture of the body wall of B. xylophilus. Therefore, this study is a foundation for further study of insect biological control and provides a theoretical basis for the research and development of new insecticidal pesticides.

The efficacy of Pajanelia longifolia (Willd.) K. Schum leaf extracts against the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae)

Pajanelia longifolia (Willd.) K. Schum is a medicinal deciduous tree with a history of traditional use. The use of biologically active plant materials with mosquitocidal characteristics has piqued the curiosity of scientists worldwide. The goal of this study was to see if P. longifolia crude extracts (in petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol) had any ovipositional deterrent, ovicidal, larvicidal, or pupicidal activity against Anopheles stephensi Liston. The LC50 and LC90 values were determined by varying the concentrations of the leaf extracts. The highest oviditerrence activity (98.58% at 900 ppm), 100% ovicidal activity at 1700 ppm, 100% larvicidal activity at 1300 ppm, and pupicidal activity at 2100 ppm were found in the methanol extract. This study's findings suggest that the methanol extract of P. longifolia could be used to control mosquitoes. These discoveries could aid in the development of a potential alternate source of mosquito control. These kinds of biological insect control methods reduce the need for synthetic pesticides. The study proves that controlling mosquitoes in their infancy is easier and more effective than controlling the adult mosquitoes.

Accessing biological control genetic resources: the United States perspective.

The USA has been actively involved in classical biological control projects against invasive insect pests and weeds since 1888. Classical (importation) biological control relies upon natural enemies associated through coevolution with their target species at their geographic origin to also provide long-term, self-sustaining management where the pest/weed has become invasive. Biological control agents are a form of genetic resources and fall under the purview of the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Nagoya Protocol (NP), which entered into force in 2014 to address equitable sharing of benefits arising from utilization of genetic resources. Safe and effective classical biological control agents have historically been shared among countries experiencing problems with invasive species. However, a feature of the Nagoya Protocol is that countries are expected to develop processes governing access to their genetic resources to ensure that the benefits are shared equitably-a concept referred to as "access and benefitsharing" (ABS). Although the USA is not party to the CBD nor the NP, US biological control programs are affected by these international agreements. Surveying, collecting, exporting and importing of natural enemies may be covered by new ABS regulatory processes. Challenges of ABS have arisen as various countries enact new regulations (or not) governing access to genetic resources, andthe processes for gaining access and sharing the benefits from these resources have become increasingly complex. In the absence of an overarching national US policy, individual government agencies and institutions follow their own internal procedures. Biological control practitioners in the USA have been encouraged in recent years to observe best practices developed by the biological community for insect and weed biological control.

Implications of climate change for biocontrol efficacy across the northern range of the invasive plant Linaria dalmatica

The effect of insect biological control agents on invasive plant populations can vary spatially, and spatial variation in climate may drive regional variation in herbivory, and thus biocontrol efficacy. Within host plant populations, local plant abundance can also be affected by the spatial distribution of herbivores, but whether local patterns persist at larger scales is less well understood. We examined how infestation and damage of the stem-mining weevil Mecinus janthiniformis, a specialist biocontrol agent of the invasive plant Linaria dalmatica, varied within and among populations across the northern edge of the range in North America. We quantified weevil and invasive plant densities, as well as plant fecundity, stem diameter and height across sites spanning an area of ∼39,000 km2 in British Columbia, Canada. We found that specialist weevils did not respond to host plant density within sites across the study region. Instead, weevil attack and load were most sensitive to among-site variability in climate, with stems at warmer sites having four times as many weevils compared to stems at cooler sites. Weevils also reduced plant fecundity more at warmer sites, when controlled for plant size (stem diameter) with larger effects of weevils in thicker stems, indicating that L. dalmatica suppression is highest in warmer locations where weevils are more abundant and environmental conditions more favorable. Our results suggest that, with climate change, the efficacy of biocontrol for L. dalmatica will improve across the northern edge of the range. We recommend that at cooler sites, where biocontrols are less prevalent and effects on plant fecundity are weaker, alternative management strategies are necessary at this time. Across invasive plant species more generally, future studies that establish the role of climate in variability in biocontrol efficacy long after introduction can improve management of invasive plants under climate change.

Insect and weed biological control in Hawaii: Recent case studies and trends

Hawaii has a long history of classical biological control research and implementation. Many successes have been achieved in suppressing invasive insect species and plants though the introduction of insect and plant pathogenic natural enemies. This review paper details selected recent introductions and discusses selected cases highlighting successes with highly impactful invasive species control in diverse environments. The current state of biological control in Hawaii is discussed, including recent trends in numbers of species released, concerns about non-target impacts, and how these are addressed. Research on the biological aspects is thorough, but the ability to expand research to address continuing invasive species issues is constrained largely by infrastructure limitations. Urgent research needs for continued biological control research are identified.

Entomopathogenic fungi of Fusarium

Uzrokujući direktne ili indirektne štete i prenoseći biljne bolesti, kukci stvaraju višestruke gubitke u poljoprivrednoj proizvodnji, što se očituje smanjenom kvalitetom i prinosom usjeva. Uz primjenu kemijskih insekticida, koji su najčešći u konvencionalnoj poljoprivredi, nastoje se pronaći odgovarajući alternativni načini suzbijanja štetnika koji su okolišno prihvatljivi. Jedan je od takvih načina biološka kontrola kukaca entomopatogenim gljivama, za koje je utvrđena iznimno visoka učinkovitost u suzbijanju mnogih vrsta kukaca. Cilj rada bio je navesti mogućnosti suzbijanja kukaca entomopatogenim gljivama roda Fusarium te prikazati njihov potencijal primjene, od tretiranja sjemena, tretiranja kukaca do tretiranja skladišta. Brojne vrste roda Fusarium pokazale su visoku učinkovitost suzbijanja kukaca u svim fazama njihovog razvoja te su pogodne za daljnja istraživanja.

The Characterization of Three Novel Insect-Specific Viruses Discovered in the Bean Bug, Riptortus pedestris.

Insect-specific virus (ISV) is one of the most promising agents for the biological control of insects, which is abundantly distributed in hematophagous insects. However, few ISVs have been reported in Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius), one of the major pests threatening soybeans and causing great losses in yield and quality. In this work, field Riptortus pedestris was collected from six soybean-producing regions in China, and their virome was analyzed with the metatranscriptomic approach. Altogether, seven new insect RNA viruses were identified, three of which had complete RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and nearly full-length genome sequences, which were named Riptortus pedestris alphadrosrha-like virus 1 (RpALv1), Riptortus pedestris alphadrosrha-like virus 2 (RpALv2) and Riptortus pedestris almendra-like virus (RiALv). The three identified novel ISVs belonged to the family Rhabdoviridae, and phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that they were clustered into new distinct clades. Interestingly, the analysis of virus-derived small-interfering RNAs (vsiRNAs) indicated that only RiALv-derived siRNAs exhibited 22 nt length preference, whereas no clear 21 or 22 nt peaks were observed for RpALv1 and RpALv2, suggesting the complexity of siRNA-based antiviral immunity in R. pedestris. In conclusion, this study contributes to a better understanding of the microenvironment in R. pedestris and provides viral information for the development of potential soybean insect-specific biocontrol agents.

Review of control options for elm leaf beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola Müller, with a focus on Australia

ABSTRACT Elm leaf beetle (ELB) is a comparatively new invader in south-eastern Australia. ELB can cause considerable defoliation and adversely impact tree health. Here, we conducted a literature review and found a range of control measures. We found two main biological control insects, Oomyzus gallerucae and Erynniopsis antennata, but they rarely adequately control ELB populations or prevent considerable defoliation. We report on more than 20 insecticides used to control ELB, primarily consisting of organophosphates, pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. There is no ideal insecticide as some very effective insecticides have environmental or human health concerns. Products based on azadirachtin or similar compounds seem to generate least concerns and are insect specific, but may have short residues. The choice of insecticidal intervention will be based on issues pertinent to each situation and many pesticide options are available.

Green synthesis, characterization and antibacterial, antifungal, larvicidal and anti-termite activities of copper nanoparticles derived from Grewia asiatica L.

BackgroundThe current study was conducted to find out an eco-friendly and cost-efficient way to prepare copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) by utilizing Grewia asiatica L. leaf extract, which was found to be a very effective antimicrobial and larvicidal chemical.MethodsCharacterization of nanoparticles was also carried out by utilizing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, scanning electron microscope along with X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The artificially prepared nanoparticles in the laboratory were approximately in the range of 2 µm in size and crystalline in nature. The CuNPs were tested for their antimicrobial activity against different types of fungi and bacteria, also some mosquito and termite. All the results and observations were tested with a one-way analysis of variance keeping the probability level at < 0.0001.ResultsThe copper nanoparticles exhibit significant antibacterial and antifungal activities and are also found lethal for many mosquito and termite species. Antibacterial activity was checked against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, their zone of inhibition was 17 nm and 20 nm, respectively. The antifungal potential was checked against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae and the zone of inhibition was recorded at 20 mm and 23 mm, respectively. CuNPs were also found lethal for many mosquitoes and maximum efficacy of CuNPs against Aedes aegypti larva was observed at 100 mg/ml after 24 h. Termite species such as Heterotermes indicola were exposed to CuNPs and the highest mortality rate in termites was seen at 100 ppm concentration of CuNPs. Current research provides the first investigation of CuNPs of G. asiatica as a larvicidal and as an anti-termite. G. asiatica garden-fresh leaves were collected from Railway colony Mughalpura.ConclusionsThis study proves that CuNPs have a toxic effect on insects and can also be utilized as a biological control of insects. By using such a scientific approach, the scientists can lower the costs of chemical usage and a biodegradable alternative could be provided.