Insecticidal efficacy of nano zeolite against Tribolium confusum (Col., Tenebrionidae) and Callosobruchus maculatus (Col., Bruchidae)

Abstract

Insect mortality was assessed after 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14 days of exposure for T. confusum and after 1, 2, and 3 days of exposure for C. maculatus. The mortality of T. confusum and C. maculatus adults exposed to wheat and cowpea seeds treated with nano zeolite was increased significantly with increasing dose and exposure intervals. The adult progeny production and the number of eggs laid were significantly decreased by increasing nano zeolite dose. In the present study, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to observe the adult insects exposed to nano zeolite-treated seeds. Nano zeolite attached all over the insect body with scratches and splits on the cuticle that lead to the loss of water through dehydration.