Evidence of nanoemulsion as an effective control measure for fruit flies Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Pesticide resistance is a common concern. It exerts close association with economic and health associated problems in various plants and other organisms. Several approaches have been trialled for attracting and trapping the insects and flies that are acting as vectors for transmission of communicable diseases. Although Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) is not an agricultural pest, its presence in consumer dwelling areas is an objection to human, as it indicates signs of an unhealthy environment or products. The current study focuses on the development of nanoemulsion with synthetic attractants and entrapping in sticky glue formulation that could provide prolonged effect for attracting and trapping the fruit flies. The results of our study showed the efficient attractive ability of exposed nanoemulsion (A3E1T) containing amyl acetate, ammonia, ethanol and Tween 80 compared to that of control. While the sex-based effect was not very prominent, the nanoemulsion showed a higher relative response index to the flies and increased activity even during their siesta time. Therefore, the nanoemulsion-based approach could be identified as one of the promising lines of attack and a suitable alternative for the existing fruit fly control measures. The present study is the first of its kind in reporting the ability of nanoemulsion formulation to attract and influence the activity of fruit flies D. melanogaster , up to our best of knowledge.

Guest Edited Collection: Nanotechnology in agriculture

“…At the time of this Collection’s launch, a high proportion of the work falls under the section ‘Nanodevices for crop protection’. This research relates to the use of nanoformulations for fighting against biotic and abiotic stresses in plants, with methods that directly affect insect pests, through disruption of their immune and reproductive system 9 or acting as attractants 10 . Some others show the antimicrobial activity of nanoparticles 8 , 10 – 12 , present nanosorbents for improving and increasing the properties of plant allelochemicals 13 , and stimulate the plant natural defences, using nanomaterials 14 or through loading nanocarriers with resistance inducers 15 .…”