We investigated the effect of encapsulated Chitosan-nanoparticles by using Salvia leucantha essential oil on the insecticidal activity against H. armigera, S. litura and P. xylostella. The encapsulated nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis, SEM, EDX, FTIR and ZP. Phytochemical analysis of essential oil revealed that the presence of alkaloid, flavonoids, phenolics, and glycosides etc., and GC/MS analysis identified at least 12 compounds, the most abundant constituents were bornyl acetate, 1-Octadecanesulphonyl Chloride, spathulenol and caryophyllene oxide. Bioassays was conducted to find out the toxicity against H. armigera and LC50 values of essential oil was 175.39 ppm (larva I) 542.09 ppm (pupa), and encapsulations of essential oil was 14.56 ppm (I) 63.28 ppm (pupa), respectively. Life history parameters and food efficiency utilization measures were significantly affected with concomitant decline in the activities of digestive enzymes after treatment of encapsulated Chitosan-nanoparticles for H. armigera, S. litura and P. xylostella. From the results the nanomatierals are effective and eco-friendly bio-insecticides for not only control bollworm and also other lepidopteran insects such as Spodoptera litura and Plutella xylostella at different crop ecosystem.

Mosquito borne diseases are on the rise because of their fast spread worldwide and the lack of effective treatments. Here we are focusing on the development of a novel anti-malarial and virucidal agent with biocidal effects also on its vectors. We have synthesized a new quinoline (4,7-dichloroquinoline) derivative which showed significant larvicidal and pupicidal properties against a malarial and a dengue vector and a lethal toxicity ranging from 4.408 µM/mL (first instar larvae) to 7.958 µM/mL (pupal populations) for Anopheles stephensi and 5.016 µM/mL (larva 1) to 10.669 µM/mL (pupae) for Aedes aegypti. In-vitro antiplasmodial efficacy of 4,7-dichloroquinoline revealed a significant growth inhibition of both sensitive strains of Plasmodium falciparum with IC50 values of 6.7 nM (CQ-s) and 8.5 nM (CQ-r). Chloroquine IC50 values, as control, were 23 nM (CQ-s), and 27.5 nM (CQ-r). In vivo antiplasmodial studies with P. falciparum infected mice showed an effect of 4,7-dichloroquinoline compared to chloroquine. The quinoline compound showed significant activity against the viral pathogen serotype 2 (DENV-2). In vitro conditions and the purified quinoline exhibited insignificant toxicity on the host system up to 100 µM/mL. Overall, 4,7-dichloroquinoline could provide a good anti-vectorial and anti-malarial agent.

Mosquitoes are the major vectors of many diseases such as the malaria, filariasis, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis. Mosquitoes propagate quite successfully in a variety of aquatic habitats such as drinking water system, manmade water bodies, and sewage contaminated aquatic system. Since, water is essential for all life, without it, life won’t progress and at the same time, the quality of the water also important. With the unique structural features present in chitosan bio-polymer helps to bind effectively with fine suspended particles, pollutants, bacteria, heavy metals etc. The biocompatible and biodegradable nature of chitosan makes it a potential candidate for mosquito breeding water purification purposes. In this regard, chitosan has been extracted from freshwater crab shells Scylla serrata and reduced for silver nanoparticle synthesis. It has been utilized as a potent tool in control of young instars of Aedes aegypti and its breeding water purification. Bio-synthesized chitosan-reduced silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (E-DAX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In laboratory condition, the chitosan silver nanocomplex was found to possess toxicity against young instars (I, II, III, and IV) of Aedes aegypti at the concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 ppm followed by chitosan treatment alone. The surface stagnant water from dengue vector breeding site checked the water purification parameters, such as water temperature (WT), pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity (EC) by using “μP Based Water & Soil Analysis Kit” (Model 1160). Further, from the results it is clearly postulated that the biomolecules present in the chitosan not only showed biopesticidal activity against mosquito larvae and pupae but also nullified the contaminants in the water and made human usage.

In the present study we tested the biological effect of crab shell-chitosan reduced silver nanoparticles (Cs-AgNPs) and characterized viz., UV–vis Spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, EDAX and XRD. After the treatment of Cs-AgNPs at different larval stages (Larva I, II, III, IV & pupa) of C. quinquefasciatus and for Helicoverpa armigera (III, IV larval stages) found to be lethal at concentration (LC50) of chitosan fabricated nanoparticles for larval instars and pupa, when compare to individual chitosan treatment. Significant reduction of egg output, hatchability and fecundity were noticed after the treatment of Cs-AgNPs (25–50 ppm) and (150–300 ppm) of chitosan alone. Predatory efficiency of guppy fish against mosquito larvae was also not significantly affected by nanoparticles applications. Tested nanoparticle was also possessed anti-bacterial properties against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Salmonella aureus.

Mosquitoes are a great menace for humankind since they transmit pathogenic organisms causing Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Elephantiasis and Japanese encephalitis. There is an urgent need to discover new and novel biological tools to mitigate mosquito-borne diseases. To develop bioinsecticides through newly developed nanotechnology is another option in the present research scenario. In this study we synthesize and characterize sardine fish scales with silver nitrate by adopting various instrumental techniques such as UV- and FTIR-spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDAX), X-ray diffraction analyses (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Toxicity bioassays were conducted with young developmental stages of mosquito vectors. Significant mortality appeared after different life stages of mosquito vectors (young larval and pupal instars were exposed to the nanomaterials). LC 50 values were 13.261 ppm for young first instar larvae and 32.182 ppm for pupae. Feeding and predatory potential of G. affinis , before and after exposure to nanoparticles against mosquito larval (I & II) instars of the mosquitoes showed promising results in laboratory experiments. Feeding potential of mosquito fish without nanoparticle treatment was 79.7% and 70.55% for the first and second instar larval populations respectively. At the nanoparticle-exposed situation the predatory efficiency of mosquitofish was 94.15% and 84.3%, respectively. Antioxidant enzymes like (SOD), (CAT), and (LPO) were estimated in the gill region of sardine fish in control and experimental waters. A significant reduction of egg hatchability was evident after nanoparticle application. It became evident from this study that the nano-fabricated materials provide suitable tools to control the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi in the aquatic phase of its life cycle. This finding suggests an effective novel approach to mosquito control.

The 45 days feeding trial was carried out to assess the effects on the Labeo rohita fish growth, biochemical analysis, hematological parameters, disease resistance to against the fish pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The Immune response of L. rohita when fed with using fruits methanol extraction of Cucumis melo (CM) and Pyrus communis (PC) compared to a control diets. The fishes were randomly stocked into five experimental groups, and diets containing different concentrations for control 0% (basal diets), 1% (CM and PC), 2% (CM and PC), were fed to triplicate groups of fish (average weight; 2.60 ± 0.02) for 45 days. At the end of the feeding trail, test fish were intraperitoneal injected with a pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Resulted in significant (P < 0.05) higher weight gain and feed intake were noticed in groups of fish fed 2% CM-treated diets compared to PM treated diets. At the same time, none of the biochemical and hematological parameters was significantly affected. After 45 days bacterial challenge, labeo rohita fed 2% Cucumis melo had significantly higher survival rate compare to the PM and control groups. Moreover, Immune parameters such as, phagocytic activities were most significantly enhanced in 2% CM especially after a bacterial challenge. This study revealed that dietary Cucumis melo at 2% could promote the growth, Immune system, Cost effective, eco friendly alternative antibiotics and improved survival of labeo rohita compared to PC.

Tree Lucerne or Tagasaste is native of dry volcanic slopes of La Palma island of Canary Islands, Pacific Ocean.The potential of tree Lucerne as a fodder was identified by Dr Perez, a medical practitioner, based on La Palma island in the 1870s, and Spanish cattle farmers.He wrote to the Spanish authorities for promoting tree Lucerne as a fodder but the Spanish government was not interested.He then sent seed to Kew Gardens in England.Kew Gardens tested tree Lucerne and its potential and then sent seeds to all its colonies around the world.It is grown in residential areas as boundary as feed stack to feed chicken, goat and cattle and also for aesthetic purpose.Livestock in hilly region depends mostly on grazing lands.The grasses in these lands have less protein, vitamins and minerals.Hence livestock are not getting nutritive foods.It is estimated that poor fodder availability from limited grazing land with poor nutritive value meets only 60 percent of the fodder needs in India.Hence production of quality and nutritive fodder and its efficient use is essential in the hilly area. BOTANYTree Lucerne is botanically known as Cytisus proliferus and a member of the Fabaceae family.It is an evergreen shrub grows 3 -4 m height.It includes both vertically and horizontally growing trees.Its leaves are trifoliate with greyish-green equal-sized leaflets.Flowers are creamy-white and scented arises as small clusters in the leaf axils.White flowers appear in huge numbers usually in spring and in some conditions in winter.Its flat pea-like pods are green about 5 cm long contains about 10 seeds and ripening to black.The seeds are ripen in summer, are a flattened oval shape, about 5 mm long by 3 mm wide by 1 mm thick.There are about 45,000 seeds per kilogram.It nodulate with a wide range of rhizobia Abstract: Tree Lucerne is a perennial fodder tree provides protein rich fodder grows well in cool hilly regions.Cultivation of tree Lucerne in slopy lands helps in conserving soil and water and improves carbon sequestration level in soil.Tree Lucerne contains 23 to 28 percent crude protein that can be converted in to human protein through eggs, milk, white meat and red meat and facilitates human health.It grows well in the hilly area of Western Ghats, southern India and also can be grown in other hilly regions of India to meet the fodder needs, improve soil health by conserving soil and water and sequestering carbon.

Currently, nano-formulated mosquito larvicides have been widely proposed to control young instars of malaria vector populations. However, the fate of nanoparticles in the aquatic environment is scarcely known, with special reference to the impact of nanoparticles on enzymatic activity of non-target aquatic invertebrates. In this study, we synthesized CdS nanoparticles using a green protocol relying on the cheap extract of Valoniopsis pachynema algae. CdS nanoparticles showed high toxicity on young instars of the malaria vectors Anopheles stephensi and A. sundaicus. The antimalarial activity of the nano-synthesized product against chloroquine-resistant (CQ-r) Plasmodium falciparum parasites was investigated. From a non-target perspective, we focused on the impact of this novel nano-pesticide on antioxidant enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities of the mud crab Scylla serrata. The characterization of nanomaterials was carried out by UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopy, as well as SEM and XRD analyses. In mosquitocidal assays, LC50 of V. pachynema-synthesized CdS nanoparticles on A. stephensi ranged from 16.856 (larva I), to 30.301μg/ml (pupa), while for An. sundaicus they ranged from 13.584 to 22.496μg/ml. The antiplasmodial activity of V. pachynema extract and CdS nanoparticles was evaluated against CQ-r and CQ-sensitive (CQ-s) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. IC50 of V. pachynema extract was 58.1μg/ml (CQ-s) and 71.46μg/ml (CQ-r), while nano-CdS IC50 was 76.14μg/ml (CQ-s) and 89.21μg/ml (CQ-r). In enzymatic assays, S. serrata crabs were exposed to sub-lethal concentrations, i.e. 4, 6 and 8μg/ml of CdS nanoparticles, assessing changes in GST and AChE activity after 16days. We observed significantly higher activity of GST, if compared to the control, during the whole experiment period. In addition, a single treatment with CdS nanoparticles led to a significant decrease in AChE activity over time. The toxicity of CdS nanoparticles and Cd ions in aqueous solution was also assessed in mud crabs, showing higher toxicity of aqueous Cd ions if compared to nano-CdS. Overall, our results underlined the efficacy of green-synthesized CdS nanoparticles in malaria vector control, outlining also significant impacts on the enzymatic activity of non-target aquatic organisms, with special reference to mud crabs.

Mosquitoes are insects of huge public health importance, since they act as vectors for important pathogens and parasites. Here, we focused on the possibility of using the neem cake in the fight against mosquito vectors. The neem cake chemical composition significantly changes among producers, as evidenced by our HPTLC (High performance thin layer chromatography) analyses of different marketed products. Neem cake extracts were tested to evaluate the ovicidal, larvicidal and adulticidal activity against the rural malaria vector Anopheles culicifacies. Ovicidal activity of both types of extracts was statistically significant, and 150ppm completely inhibited egg hatching. LC50 values were extremely low against fourth instar larvae, ranging from 1.321 (NM1) to 1.818ppm (NA2). Adulticidal activity was also high, with LC50 ranging from 3.015 (NM1) to 3.637ppm (NM2). This study pointed out the utility of neem cake as a source of eco-friendly mosquitocides in Anopheline vector control programmes.

Meeting the food grain demand of ever growing global population is the big challenge to agriculture sector. Plant disease significantly reduces the production of food crops besides affecting the quality adversely. Losses associated with plant diseases in yield reduction ranging from slight to catastrophic depending upon varying factors. Literature review highlighted that an average yield loss of 42% from the six most important food crops. It is vital to manage plant diseases to avoid the yield loss, which helps to meet the food grain demand in simple means. In other way, disease management is helping us to meet the food grain demand of increasing population under shrinkage of cultivable area.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) represent a deadly threat for millions of humans and animals worldwide. Seaweeds are an important resource for marine biotechnology and are currently investigated as sources of reducing and capping agents for the nanosynthesis of mosquitocides. Culex quinquefasciatus is a major vector of lymphatic filariasis, while chironomid midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) elicit allergic reactions. In this research, silver nanoparticles (AgNP) were biosynthesized using a cheap aqueous extract of Gracilaria edulis as reducing and stabilizing agent. The formation of AgNP was confirmed by UV–Vis spectrophotometry. AgNP were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. AgNP were mostly spherical and cubic in shape, crystalline in nature. Gracilaria edulis-synthesized AgNP showed excellent ovicidal, larvicidal, pupicidal, and ovideterrent toxicity against Cx. quinquefasciatus and Chironomus circumdatus. Larvicidal LC50 ranged from 17 to 29 ppm. AgNP of 30 ppm led to 100 % mortality in treated eggs. Doses higher than 10 ppm lead to oviposition deterrence rates higher than 75 % (Oviposition Activity Index lower than −0.59). In the field, a single application of AgNP (10 × LC50) led to elimination of larval populations of Cx. quinquefasciatus and Ch. circumdatus within 72 h. Overall, G. edulis-synthesized AgNP may be potential candidates to develop eco-friendly control tools against Diptera of medical and veterinary importance.

The green synthesis of nanopesticides has been recently proposed to improve the efficacy of mosquito control programs. However, limited efforts shed light on the impact of sub-lethal doses of nanopesticides on behavioral traits of mosquito biocontrol agents. We described the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) at room temperature using the aqueous extract of Chenopodium ambrosioides, and their high toxicity against the invasive mosquito Aedes albopictus. LC50 calculated on young instars ranged from 13 ppm (first instar larvae) to 19 ppm (pupae). LC50 calculated on adults was 14 ppm. The chemical composition of the C. ambrosioides extract was characterized by GC–MS analysis. The production of AgNP was confirmed by the surface Plasmon resonance band illustrated in UV–Vis, FTIR spectroscopy, EDX, XRD, TEM, and Zeta Potential analyses. In the field, a single treatment of AgNP (10 × LC50) led to complete elimination of larval populations within 72 h. Sub-lethal doses of the reducing extract and AgNP magnify predation rates of Oryzias melastigma fishes against A. albopictus larvae. Overall, this study highlights the concrete potential of C. ambrosioides-synthesized AgNP to develop effective and cheap tools to control young instars and adults of the invasive mosquito A. albopictus.

The control of filariasis vectors has been enhanced in several areas, but there are main challenges, including increasing resistance to insecticides and lack of cheap and eco-friendly products. The toxicity of iron (Fe0) and iron oxide (Fe2O3) nanoparticles has been scarcely investigated yet. We studied the larvicidal and pupicidal activity of Fe0 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles against Culex quinquefasciatus. Fe0 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles produced by green (using a Ficus natalensis aqueous extract) and chemical nanosynthesis, respectively, were analyzed by UV–Vis spectrophotometry, FT-IR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, SEM, and EDX assays. In larvicidal and pupicidal experiments on Cx. quinquefasciatus, LC50 of Fe0 nanoparticles ranged from 20.9 (I instar larvae) to 43.7 ppm (pupae) and from 4.5 (I) to 22.1 ppm (pupae) for Fe2O3 nanoparticles synthesized chemically. Furthermore, the predation efficiency of the guppy fish, Poecilia reticulata, after a single treatment with sub-lethal doses of Fe0 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles was magnified. Overall, this work provides new insights about the toxicity of Fe0 and Fe2O3 nanoparticles against mosquito vectors; we suggested that green and chemical fabricated nano-iron may be considered to develop novel and effective pesticides.

Tea ( Camellia sinensis ) is an important plantation crop. India has 5,63,980 ha land under tea of which 1,05,685 ha is in Southern India. In India states like Assam (53%), West Bengal (23.9%), Tamil Nadu (11.3%) and Kerala (8.44%) are contributing for major tea production. It is also grown in a small scale in Tripura, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Sikkim, Bihar, Manipur, Orissa, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. Tea industry in India is more than 150 years old generating the revenue of more than Rs 6,000 crore per annum. The production of tea in India has increased from 250 million kg in 1947 to 1208 million kg in 2013 with 40 per cent increase in area. Optimum application of nutrients in right time ensures optimum tea yield.

Recently, it has been highlighted an overlooked connection between the biting activity of Anopheles mosquitoes and the spread of cancer. The excellent physico-chemical properties of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) make them a suitable candidate for biomedical applications. We focused on the toxicity of GQDs against Plasmodium falciparum and its vector Anopheles stephensi, and their impact on predation of non-target mosquito predators. Biophysical methods, including UV–vis, photoluminescence, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, XRD analysis and TEM, confirmed the effective GQD nanosynthesis. LC 50 against A. stephensi ranged from 0.157 (larva I) to 6.323 ppm (pupa). The antiplasmodial activity of GQDs was evaluated against CQ-resistant (CQ-r) and CQ-sensitive (CQ-s) strains of P. falciparum . IC 50 were 82.43 (CQ-s) and 85.17 μg/ml (CQ-r). In vivo experiments conducted on Plasmodium berghei infecting albino mice showed moderate activity of GQDs if compared to chloroquine. Concerning non-target effects, the predation efficiency of Gambusia affinis , Anax immaculifrons and Hoplobatrachus tigerinus post-treatment with GQDs was enhanced. Lastly, GQDs were toxic against MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines with an IC 50 = 24.81 μg/ml, triggering apoptosis in treated cells. Overall, we highlighted the multipurpose potential of GQDs for the development of newer drugs in the fight against Anopheles vectors, Plasmodium parasites and breast cancer cells.

The development of parasites and pathogens resistant to synthetic drugs highlighted the needing of novel, eco-friendly and effective control approaches. Recently, metal nanoparticles have been proposed as highly effective tools towards cancer cells and Plasmodium parasites. In this study, we synthesized silver nanoparticles (EW-AgNP) using Eudrilus eugeniae earthworms as reducing and stabilizing agents. EW-AgNP showed plasmon resonance reduction in UV-vis spectrophotometry, the functional groups involved in the reduction were studied by FTIR spectroscopy, while particle size and shape was analyzed by FESEM. The effect of EW-AgNP on in vitro HepG2 cell proliferation was measured using MTT assays. Apoptosis assessed by flow cytometry showed diminished endurance of HepG2 cells and cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. EW-AgNP were toxic to Anopheles stephensi larvae and pupae, LC(50) were 4.8 ppm (I), 5.8 ppm (II), 6.9 ppm (III), 8.5 ppm (IV), and 15.5 ppm (pupae). The antiplasmodial activity of EW-AgNP was evaluated against CQ-resistant (CQ-r) and CQ-sensitive (CQ-s) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. EW-AgNP IC(50) were 49.3 μg/ml (CQ-s) and 55.5 μg/ml (CQ-r), while chloroquine IC(50) were 81.5 μg/ml (CQ-s) and 86.5 μg/ml (CQ-r). EW-AgNP showed a valuable antibiotic potential against important pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Concerning non-target effects of EW-AgNP against mosquito natural enemies, the predation efficiency of the mosquitofish Gambusia affinis towards the II and II instar larvae of A. stephensi was 68.50% (II) and 47.00% (III), respectively. In EW-AgNP-contaminated environments, predation was boosted to 89.25% (II) and 70.75% (III), respectively. Overall, this research highlighted the EW-AgNP potential against hepatocellular carcinoma, Plasmodium parasites and mosquito vectors, with little detrimental effects on mosquito natural enemies.

Malaria transmission is a serious emergence in urban and semiurban areas worldwide, becoming a major international public health concern. Malaria is transmitted through the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes. The extensive employ of synthetic pesticides leads to negative effects on human health and the environment. Recently, plant-synthesized nanoparticles have been proposed as highly effective mosquitocides. In this research, we synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using the Azadirachta indica seed kernel extract as reducing and stabilizing agent. AgNP were characterized by UV–vis spectrophotometry, SEM, EDX, XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. The A. indica seed kernel extract was toxic against Anopheles stephensi larvae and pupae, LC50 were 232.8ppm (larva I), 260.6ppm (II), 290.3ppm (III), 323.4ppm (IV), and 348.4ppm (pupa). AgNP LC50 were 3.9ppm (I), 4.9ppm (II), 5.6ppm (III), 6.5ppm (IV), and 8.2ppm (pupa). The antiplasmodial activity of A. indica seed kernel extract and AgNP was evaluated against CQ-resistant (CQ-r) and CQ-sensitive (CQ-s) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. IC50 of A. indica seed kernel extract were 63.18μg/ml (CQ-s) and 69.24μg/ml (CQ-r). A. indica seed kernel-synthesized AgNP achieved IC50, of 82.41μg/ml (CQ-s) and 86.12μg/ml (CQ-r). However, in vivo anti-plasmodial experiments conducted on Plasmodium berghei infecting albino mice showed moderate activity of the A. indica extract and AgNP. Overall, this study showed that the A. indica-mediated fabrication of AgNP is of interest for a wide array of purposes, ranging from IPM of mosquito vectors to the development of novel and cheap antimalarial drugs.

The impact of green-synthesised mosquitocidal nanoparticles on non-target aquatic predators is poorly studied. In this research, we proposed a single-step method to synthesise silver nanoparticles (Ag NP) using the seed extract of Melia azedarach. Ag NP were characterised using a variety of biophysical methods, including UV-vis spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In laboratory assays on Anopheles stephensi, Ag NP showed LC50 ranging from 2.897 (I instar larvae) to 14.548ppm (pupae). In the field, the application of Ag NP (10xLC(50)) lead to complete elimination of larval populations after 72h. The application of Ag NP in the aquatic environment did not show negative adverse effects on predatory efficiency of the mosquito natural enemy Cyclops vernalis. Overall, this study highlights the concrete possibility to employ M. azedarach-synthesised Ag NP on young instars of malaria vectors.[GRAPHICS].

Mosquito-borne diseases represent a deadly threat for millions of people worldwide. The Culex genus, with special reference to Culex quinquefasciatus, comprises the most common vectors of filariasis across urban and semi-urban areas of Asia. In recent years, important efforts have been conducted to propose green-synthesized nanoparticles as a valuable alternative to synthetic insecticides. However, the mosquitocidal potential of carbon nanoparticles has been scarcely investigated. In this study, the larvicidal and pupicidal activity of carbon nanoparticle (CNP) and silver nanoparticle (AgNP) was tested against Cx. quinquefasciatus. UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and Raman analysis confirmed the rapid and cheap synthesis of carbon and silver nanoparticles. In laboratory assays, LC50 (lethal concentration that kills 50 % of the exposed organisms) values ranged from 8.752 ppm (first-instar larvae) to 18.676 ppm (pupae) for silver nanoparticles and from 6.373 ppm (first-instar larvae) to 14.849 ppm (pupae) for carbon nanoparticles. The predation efficiency of the water bug Lethocerus indicus after a single treatment with low doses of silver and carbon nanoparticles was not reduced. Moderate evidence of genotoxic effects induced by exposure to carbon nanoparticles was found on non-target goldfish, Carassius auratus. Lastly, the plant extract used for silver nanosynthesis was tested for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity. Overall, our results pointed out that AgNP and CNP can be a candidate for effective tools to reduce larval and pupal populations of filariasis vectors, with reduced genotoxicity and impact on behavioral traits of other aquatic organisms sharing the same ecological niche of Cx. quinquefasciatus.

Mosquitoes are arthropods of huge medical and veterinary relevance, since they vector pathogens and parasites of public health importance, including malaria, dengue and Zika virus. Currently, nanotechnology is considered a potential eco-friendly approach in mosquito control research. We proposed a novel method of biofabrication of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using chitosan (Ch) from crab shells. Ch-AgNP nanocomposite was characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, EDX and XRD. Ch-AgNP were tested against larvae and pupae of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi obtaining LC50 ranging from 3.18 ppm (I) to 6.54 ppm (pupae). The antibacterial properties of Ch-AgNP were proved against Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhi, while no growth inhibition was reported in assays conducted on Proteus vulgaris. Concerning non-target effects, in standard laboratory considtions the predation efficiency of Danio rerio zebrafishes was 68.8% and 61.6% against I and II instar larvae of A. stephensi, respectively. In a Ch-AgNP-contaminated environment, fish predation was boosted to 89.5% and 77.3%, respectively. Quantitative analysis of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and LPO from hepatopancreas of fresh water crabs Paratelphusa hydrodromous exposed for 16 days to a Ch-AgNP-contaminated aquatic environment were conducted. Notably, deleterious effects of Ch-AgNP contaminating aquatic enviroment on the non-target crab P. hydrodromous were observed, particularly when doses higher than 8–10ppm are tested. Overall, this research highlights the potential of Ch-AGNP for the development of newer control tools against young instar populations of malaria mosquitoes, also highlighting some risks concerned the employ of nanoparticles in aquatic environments.