HLDP nano-assembly boosts monosultap insecticidal activity against Asian corn borers through enhanced neurotoxicity...

The incorporation of nanotechnology presents an innovative strategy to overcome the limitations of conventional pesticides for efficient utilization. Herein, a hydrophilic and lipophilic diblock polymer (HLDP) nanocarrier was successfully synthesized and employed to encapsulate monosultap (Mon), yielding a highly-effective nanoformulation. HLDP exhibited a drug loading capacity of approximately 16.51 % toward Mon through simple mixing and incubation. The self-assembly of Mon/HLDP complex via electrostatic interactions formed nearly spherical nanoparticles (115.50 nm) with a uniform morphology. Notably, HLDP modification significantly improved the physicochemical properties of Mon at the mass ratio of 5.05:1, reducing the contact angle from 100.75° to 67.87° and increasing the foliar retention by 43 %, thereby facilitating droplet spreading and enhancing wettability on maize leaves. Importantly, bioassays demonstrated that Mon/HLDP complex displayed excellent insecticidal efficacy toward the lepidopteran pest Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis, ACB). Compared with Mon alone, the LC₅₀ values decreased by 2.61- and 3.639-fold for contact and stomach toxicity, respectively. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis and biological experiments revealed that the exposure to Mon/HLDP complex induced neurotoxic amplification while disrupting energy homeostasis, ultimately accelerating insect death. These findings highlight the potential of HLDP-based nanodelivery system in optimizing pesticide performance, offering an innovative approach to improving pest control in sustainable agriculture.