Graphene-Delivered Insecticides against Cotton Bollworm

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Materials Science
• Entomology

Background:

• Nanopesticides offer controlled release and enhanced permeability of active ingredients.
• Graphene-based nanocarriers are explored for synergistic effects with insecticides.
• Cotton bollworm is a significant agricultural pest impacting crop yields.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the synergistic mechanism of graphene-insecticide nanocarriers against cotton bollworm.
• To evaluate the impact of graphene on the insecticidal activity of lambda-cyhalothrin and cyfluthrin.
• To determine optimal compositions for enhanced efficacy and reduced insecticide usage.

Main Methods:

• Treatment of third-instar cotton bollworm larvae with control, graphene, insecticides (lambda-cyhalothrin, cyfluthrin), and graphene-delivered insecticide groups.
• Analysis of phenotypic variations including body length, body weight, and mortality rates.
• Microscopic examination of epicuticle spine cells to assess damage.

Main Results:

• Graphene significantly enhanced the insecticidal activity of lambda-cyhalothrin and cyfluthrin against cotton bollworm.
• Optimal graphene-insecticide compositions (3:1) yielded the highest mortality rates (62.91% for Cyh/G, 38.89% for Cyf/G).
• Graphene-delivered insecticides increased permeability, damaging epicuticle spine cells and enhancing toxicity, allowing for a 25% reduction in insecticide use.

Conclusions:

• Graphene acts synergistically with insecticides to increase efficacy against cotton bollworm.
• Graphene-insecticide nanocarriers provide a promising strategy for reduced pesticide application.
• The enhanced permeability induced by graphene is a key mechanism for its insecticidal potentiation.