Abstract:
Helicoverpa armiger is the common pest of maize. Every year, around, 20–40% of crops are lost
due to plant pests and pathogens. Recent advances in nanotechnology have provided promising
tools for management of insect pest of essential commodities. In the present study, the effects of
green synthesized silver nano particles (AgNPs) produced by Zea mays silk on corn pest H.
armiger were investigated. The green synthesized AgNPs were bio-physically characterized by
UV–vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. AgNP
was highly effective against the larvicidal and pupicidal on H. armigera with LC50 values ranging
from 16.134 ppm to 62.110 ppm. Consumption index, relative growth rate, the efficiency of
ingested and digested food values were highly reduced in silver nanoparticles treatment.
Further the Z.mays silk synthesized AgNPs negatively affected on adult longevity and fecundity of
Harmigera. This study concludes that the effects of AgNPs are significant against H. armiger
hence could be used as an alternative pest control agent in the management of crop pests.
