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BACKGROUND: The potential of copper nanoparticles (Cu‐NPs) to be used as an alternative control strategy against olive fruit flies (Bactrocera oleae) with reduced sensitivity to the pyrethroid deltamethrin and the impact of both nanosized and bulk copper hydroxide (Cu(OH)2) on the insect's reproductive and endosymbiotic parameters were investigated. RESULTS: The application of nanosized and bulk copper applied by feeding resulted in significant levels of adult mortality, comparable to or surpassing those achieved with deltamethrin at recommended doses. Combinations of Cu‐NPs or copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO‐NPs) with deltamethrin significantly enhanced the insecticide's efficacy against B. oleae adults. When combined with deltamethrin, Cu‐NPs significantly reduced the mean total number of offspring compared with the control, and the number of stings, pupae, female and total number of offspring compared with the insecticide alone. Both bulk and nanosized copper negatively affected the abundance of the endosymbiotic bacterium Candidatus Erwinia dacicola which is crucial for the survival of B. oleae larvae. CONCLUSION: The Cu‐NPs can aid the control of B. oleae both by reducing larval survival and by enhancing deltamethrin performance in terms of toxicity and reduced fecundity, providing an effective anti‐resistance tool and minimizing the environmental footprint of synthetic pesticides by reducing the required doses for the control of the pest. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zwitterionic surfactants based on 3‐(1‐alkyl‐3‐imidazolio) propane‐sulfonate ([ImS3‐R] where R is octyl or dodecyl) is an emerging and important class of amphiphile due to their relevance as nano reactors for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles and accelerated acid hydrolysis. The physicochemical properties of such synthesized imidazolium ring‐containing zwitterionic surfactants have been characterized by surface tension and small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) techniques. Surface tension measurements were used to calculate several thermodynamic parameters over a range of concentrations and temperatures (298–313 K). The results obtained showed a weak signature representing the critical micelle concentration (CMC) for ImS3‐8, however, by increasing the alkyl length of the hydrophobic group to dodecyl, that is, ImS3‐8 to ImS3‐12, the signature of the CMC was much more evident. As expected, the CMC for ImS3‐12 shifted to a lower concentration. An increase in temperature increased the surface activity and decreased the CMC of both zwitterionic surfactants, although the changes were small. Compared to classical surfactants, that is, sodium dodecyl sulfate and dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide, the CMC of ImS3‐12 is much lower. Modeling of SANS data demonstrated that the morphology of the micelles formed by these amphiphiles may be described by the "classical" model, a central hydrophobic core, with a shell of hydrated headgroups. Due to their widespread applications in colloidal and interfacial science, the present study adds new insight to the fundamental understanding of these interesting imidazolium‐based surface‐active ionic liquids (ImS3‐R). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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