IMPACT OF RICE HUSK DERIVED SILICA NANOPARTICLES ON THE MIGRATORY LOCUST (Locusta migratoria - ACRIDIDAE).

Nanotechnology is a new trend opening up many opportunities in several fields such as agriculture and medicine. In the context of pest control and evaluation of the effect of nanomaterial on orthopteran pests, a study on the impact of silica nanoparticles on third instar larvae and adults of Locusta migratoria (Orthoptera: acrididae) was undertaken. Indeed, different concentration of nanomaterials was used in order to investigate the impact of this substance. On the other hand, neuro-intoxication symptoms were observed following ingestion of the grass sprayed with Silica nanoparticles; hyperexcitability separated by moments of immobility, movement disorders and intense defecation, testifying to the entomotoxic action of silica nanoparticles on the Migratory Locust. The mortality rate of treated locusts with the highest dose reached 100% after 11 days for L3 larvae and 21 days for adults. The evaluation of lethal times 50 (LT50) for this nanomaterial showed the speed action of this substance, which is 5.35 days for L3 larvae and 11.09 days in adult case for a maximum concentration of 5 mg/100 mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]