Moringa oleifera based silver nanoparticles: Synthesis and insecticidal toxicity against fall armyworm

The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a major pest of several crops leading to significant yield losses. Developing effective and eco-friendly pest management strategies against fall armyworm (FAW) is crucial for sustainable agriculture. This study investigates the synthesis and evaluation of the insecticidal activity of silver nanoparticles based on an aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL-AgNPs) against FAW. The synthesized MOL-AgNPs were characterized and confirmed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging. Four concentrations (200, 300, 400, and 500 ppm) of MOL-AgNPs and a deionized water as blank control were tested against larval mortality of the last three larval instars of FAW by food dipping method. Results showed different concentrations of MOL-AgNPs exhibited significantly higher larvicidal activity (p