Scholarlink

<p>Fruit fly larvae cause extensive damage to horticultural crops and are difficult to manage as they are resistance to conventional insecticides. In this context, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, induce oxidative stress and physical toxicity in insects, offer a promising nanotechnology-based alternative for incorporation into integrated pest management programs. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were synthesized using a sol–gel auto-combustion technique under three different pH conditions-acidic (~ 5), neutral (~ 7), and basic (~ 9)-to assess the influence of synthesis pH on larvicidal activity. As limited research explains how pH-controlled synthesis alters nanoparticle toxicity across fruit fly larval stages, with scarce instar-specific comparisons, hindering optimized, stage-targeted application of nanomaterials. Bioassays were conducted (2023–2024) under controlled conditions (28–30&#xa0;°C and 60–70% relative humidity) to observe the mortality against 2nd and 3rd instars of <i>Bactrocera cucurbitae</i> after 24, 48, 72 and 96&#xa0;h at 50, 150, 250, 350 and 450&#xa0;ppm doses per 10 larvae. Results indicated that 2nd instar maggots were more susceptible to these nanoparticles across exposure periods, with the highest mortality observed at the tested dose. 3rd instar maggots also showed significant susceptibility, under basic pH conditions (~ 9). Overall, the study demonstrates that these nanoparticles possess strong insecticidal potential against larval stages of <i>B. cucurbitae</i>, and that their efficacy is influenced by synthesis pH. The present study is one of the first to demonstrate that the larvicidal efficacy of titanium dioxide nanoparticles against <i>B. cucurbitae</i> which is significantly influenced by the pH conditions used during nanoparticle synthesis. The work provides clear evidence of instar-specific susceptibility, showing higher sensitivity of 2nd instar maggots and enhanced toxicity was recorded under basic pH (~ 9) against 3rd instar larvae. Unlike previous studies that report general insecticidal effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, this study demonstrates for the first time that larvicidal efficacy against <i>B. cucurbitae</i> is strongly dependent on the pH conditions used during nanoparticle synthesis and supporting their environmentally safer integration into management strategies.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Larvicidal potential of pH-modulated titanium dioxide nanoparticles against fruit fly (Bactocera cucurbitae) under laboratory conditions

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月1日

查看全文
  • Neelam Thakur,
  • Nikita Sharma,
  • Puneet Negi

摘要

Fruit fly larvae cause extensive damage to horticultural crops and are difficult to manage as they are resistance to conventional insecticides. In this context, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, induce oxidative stress and physical toxicity in insects, offer a promising nanotechnology-based alternative for incorporation into integrated pest management programs. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were synthesized using a sol–gel auto-combustion technique under three different pH conditions-acidic (~ 5), neutral (~ 7), and basic (~ 9)-to assess the influence of synthesis pH on larvicidal activity. As limited research explains how pH-controlled synthesis alters nanoparticle toxicity across fruit fly larval stages, with scarce instar-specific comparisons, hindering optimized, stage-targeted application of nanomaterials. Bioassays were conducted (2023–2024) under controlled conditions (28–30 °C and 60–70% relative humidity) to observe the mortality against 2nd and 3rd instars of Bactrocera cucurbitae after 24, 48, 72 and 96 h at 50, 150, 250, 350 and 450 ppm doses per 10 larvae. Results indicated that 2nd instar maggots were more susceptible to these nanoparticles across exposure periods, with the highest mortality observed at the tested dose. 3rd instar maggots also showed significant susceptibility, under basic pH conditions (~ 9). Overall, the study demonstrates that these nanoparticles possess strong insecticidal potential against larval stages of B. cucurbitae, and that their efficacy is influenced by synthesis pH. The present study is one of the first to demonstrate that the larvicidal efficacy of titanium dioxide nanoparticles against B. cucurbitae which is significantly influenced by the pH conditions used during nanoparticle synthesis. The work provides clear evidence of instar-specific susceptibility, showing higher sensitivity of 2nd instar maggots and enhanced toxicity was recorded under basic pH (~ 9) against 3rd instar larvae. Unlike previous studies that report general insecticidal effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles, this study demonstrates for the first time that larvicidal efficacy against B. cucurbitae is strongly dependent on the pH conditions used during nanoparticle synthesis and supporting their environmentally safer integration into management strategies.