Evaluation of clove-chitosan nanohybrids and clove nanoemulsions as bio-agents against the peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (diptera: tephritidae)

Abstract Plant Essential oils (EOs)-based eco-friendly biopesticides area substitute for chemically manufactured insecticides in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Plant essential oils show chemical instability which causes the active ingredients to evaporate and degrade quickly and that is the primary issue for using them as biopesticides in field applications. EOs could be incorporated into controlled-release nano formulations, which are anticipated to be more efficient than the bulk substance. In this research, clove nanoemulsion (CEO-NE) and clove-chitosan nanohybrid (CEO-NE@CNPs) were assessed as bio-agents against the peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Saunders) (Diptera: Tephritidae) under laboratory conditions. Results reveal that upon encapsulation of CEO-NE on chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs), there was an increase in the particle size from 110 ± 10nm to 170 ± 10nm with high stability 50.9mV and 30.5mV respectively. In addition, CEO-NE@CNPs was the most efficient bioagent against B. zonata that recorded the lowest egg hatchability and showing the highest larval mortality. Also, low pupation and low values of adult emergence were obtained. So, the combination of chitosan NPs and clovenanoemulsion as a nanohybrid increased the efficacy of clove oil as an ecofriendly pesticide.