Synthesis and insecticide activity of Cu-nanoparticles from Prosopis juliflora (Sw) DC and Pluchea sericea (Nutt.) on Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Phenacoccus solenopsis is an aggressively invasive species on cotton plants in several countries. Hence, the pesticidal effect of copper nanoparticles synthesized from leaf extract of Prosopis juliflora (Sw) DC and Pluchea sericea (Nutt.) against P. solenopsis was investigated. The results showed that the Cu-nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) obtained from P. juliflora and P. sericea averaged 33.8 and 68.10 nm, respectively. The high stability for both synthetized Cu-NPs was indicated for their zeta potential (-69.7 mV for P. juliflora and -53.9 mV for P. sericea). Both nanoparticles showed significant toxicity to P. solenopsis after 96 hours. Mortality rates of P. solenopsis were 14 and 20% when exposed to Cu-NPs extracted from P. sericea and P. juliflora, respectively. Tests in copper solution showed an insignificant mortality of P. solenopsis. Viability tests for Cu-NPs from P. sericea and P. juliflora indicated a significant reduction of cell viability by 30 and 38% respectively