Green Synthesis of Bimetallic Nanoparticles From Prosopis juliflora (Sw) DC., and Its Effect Against Cotton Mealybug,Phenacoccus solenopsis (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Phenacoccus solenopsis has been recognized as an aggressively invasive species on cotton plants in different countries. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of green synthesized Cu/Zn-nanoparticles using aqueous leaf extract of Prosopis juliflora (mezquite) against P. solenopsis. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed bimetallic nanoparticles of Cu/Zn-NPs with spherical shape with varying size of 74.33 nm to 59.46 nm. More than 30% mortality of P. solenopsis was observed with Cu/Zn-nanoparticles (100 ppm) at 96 hours after treatment. Negligible mortality of P. solenopsis was recorded with Cu/Zn solution (100 ppm) and aqueous P. juliflora extracts. The results of the viability test for Cu/Zn-nanoparticles of P. juliflora showed a significant reduction of the cell viability by 50% in insect exposed to Cu/Zn-nanoparticles-P.juliflora. Therefore studies about nanotoxicity of Cu/Zn-NPs of P.juliflora are needed to reveal the mechanism of toxicity this phytonanoparticles in P.solenopsis.