Nano-particles from ground eggshells improves efficacy of spinosad in the red flour

Nanomaterials, widely used in fields like medicine, energy, and biology, can revolutionize agriculture through precision farming by reducing agrochemical use and improving efficiency. Nanomaterials can reduce the amount of chemicals used in agricultural. One growing application of nanomaterials is pesticides. Another application of agricultural waste being repurposed into nano pesticides is nano-powdered eggshells to treat stored product pests. In this presentation, we will investigate several cases of agricultural waste turned into new nano-pesticides. One example explored in this presentation is using eggshell nanopowder and Spinosad as pesticides for the RFB. Several insecticides are registered to help manage the RFB. Researchers are combating resistance to many of these treatments and thus, exploring more natural ways to treat stored pests. This research examines the possibility of using eggshell nano-powder and eggshell nano-powder with Spinosad as an insecticide for RFB adults and larvae. Eggshell nano-powder alone caused mortality of adult RFB of 94±5% at 0.04 mg/mm2 after 7 days. When eggshell nano-powder had 1ppm Spinosad added to the surface, RFB larval mortality increased to 98±2% after 7 days. Thus, the eggshell nano-powder alone was sufficient to kill RFB adults. The addition of Spinosad increased the larval mortality rate of eggshell nano-powder.