Green Copper Nano-Pesticide Synthesized by Using Annona Squamosa L., Seed and their Efficacy on Insect Pest as well as Non-Target Species

Insect pest resistance challenge to existing classes of insecticides is jeopardizing the currently attained achievements in pests control for the public health and economy worldwide. Alternative pesticides with different mode of action are of paramount importance. The pesticidal efficacy of Annona squamosa L. seed derived green copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) against Anopheles stephensi, Tenebrio molitor and non-targeting organism Artemia nauplii at 24h post treatment at laboratory condition was conducted. A. squamosa L., seed derived cupper nanoparticles were characterized through, UV-vis spectrophotometer, FT-IR, XRD, and EDaX, HR-SEM, TEM and AFM analysis. Insect larvae were exposed to discriminating dosage of 170μg/ml deliver significant mortality rate comparable to other concentrations against An. stephensi and T. molitor. The synthesis CuNPs lower toxicity was observed on non-targeting organism A. nauplii. The present study suggests this bio-rational green copper nano-pesticide from A. squamosa L., seed displays a significant effect to reduce the larvae of insect pest and lower toxicity to beneficial organism. These results suggest that, use of A. squamosa L., seed derived CuNPs is a rapid, environmentally safer, and greener approach for insect control. This could lead to a new avenue in pest control strategy.