Insecticidal effect of silica and silver nanoparticles on the cowpea seed beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus F. (Col.: Bruchidae)

Nanotechnology has become one of the most promising new approaches for pest control in recent years. In our screening program, laboratory trials were conducted to determine the effectiveness of silica nanoparticles (SNP) and silver nanoparticles (AgNP) on larval stage and adults of Callosobruchus maculatus on cowpea seed. Nanoparticles of silica and silver were synthesized through a solvothermal method and different concentrations (1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 g kg-1) of them were tested on C. maculatus. In the experiments, the LC50 value for SiO2 and Ag nanoparticles were calculated 0.68 and 2.06 g kg-1 cowpeas on adults and 1.03 and 1.00 g kg-1 on larvae, respectively. Result showed that, the both nanoparticles (silica and silver) were highly effective on adults and larvae with 100% and 83% mortality, respectively. The result also showed that SiO2 nanoparticles can be used as a valuable tool in pest management programs of C. maculatus.