Nano-formulated deterrents for plant virus vector control

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the most important plant virus vectors due to its high non-persistent stylet-borne vector efficiency. Insecticides do not kill quick enough to prevent acquisition and inoculation, and alternative products are needed. Nanoparticles themselves are promising alternatives for controlling pests. In addition to having insecticidal abilities, nanoparticles can be used to entrap photolabile insecticides, allowing for slow release and protection from UV degradation. Combined with deterrents (products that inhibit insect feeding), control of non-persistent plant virus spread could be achieved by altering vector behavior. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of lignin-grafted PLGA copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS LNPs) and nano-formulated azadirachtin in controlling M. persicae. We compared the effects of two commercial neem preparations, neem oil (from Dyna-Gro) and purified azadirachtin (Azatin XL 3%), on survival, fecundity, and intrinsic rate of increase (rm). In addition, nanoparticle effects on aphid probing behavior were studied using electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique.