AUTHOR(S)
Mohammed Shaker Mansor¹, Omar Ali Daham², and Ahmed Al-Sabte³
ABSTRACT
This research focused on developing a nanopesticide derived from silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)
synthesized through the metabolic activities of the fungus Lecanicillium lecanii Gams & Zare
2001). The study aimed to assess its efficacy against the flour beetle Tribolium confusum and
explore its synergistic effects with two chemical pesticides, Sivanto 20% and deltamethrin 2.5%.
Biotinylated AgNPs were successfully produced using the biomass of the fungus L. lecanii.
Characterization of silver nanoparticles was achieved through the observable color change of silver
nitrate solution (AgNO₃) from a clear or watery state to red, brown, or dark red, confirmed by UVV
is spectroscopy, with the highest absorption peak at 420 nm, indicative of silver element
absorption. Transmission electron microscope images illustrated that the biologically prepared
AgNPs with L. lecanii exhibited spherical shapes with sizes ranging from 12 to 40 nanometers.
Various concentrations of nanopesticide, Sivanto, and deltamethrin were tested for the treatment of
grains. A concentration of 1 ml/L of deltamethrin showed superior performance, with the mortality
ratio increasing with prolonged exposure. Both Sivanto and deltamethrin (0.5 ml/L and 0.4 ml/L)
caused 100% mortality, followed by the nanopesticide (30% concentration), reaching a corrected
mortality rate of 39.3% against adults of T. confusum. In the larval experiment, the mortality rate
was high when applying AgNPs at a concentration of 100%, comparable to Sivanto 0.5 ml/L under
similar conditions. Deltamethrin exhibited complete mortality at a 1 ml/L concentration. [
Keywords: Silver Nanoparticles, Lecanicillium lecanii, Tribolium confusum
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57182/jbiopestic.17.1.15-24
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How to cite this article:
Mohammed Shaker Mansor, Omar Ali Daham, and Ahmed Al-Sabte. 2024. Effect of silver
nanoparticles synthesized by Lecanicillium lecanii and their combinations with insecticides (Sivanto and
Deltamethrin) on larvae and adults of Tribolium confusum Duv. (Tenebrionidae : Coleoptera). Journal of
Biopesticides, 17(1): 15-24.