Insecticide Effect of Zeolites on the Tomato Leafminer Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)

Abstract

(1) Background: The tomato leafminer Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is a key tomato insect pest. At present, it is considered to be a serious threat in various countries in Europe, North Africa, and Middle East. The extensive use and the developed resistance of T. absoluta to spinosad causes some concern, which leads to the need for alternative products. (2) Materials and Methods: Several laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the ovicidal properties of a zeolite particle film on T. absoluta. The toxicity of three different zeolites and six zeolite formulations to T. absoluta eggs and larvae was determined using different exposure methods. (3) Results: In general, the formulated zeolites yielded higher egg and larvae mortality values, especially when the zeolite particle film was residually applied. Notable differences in mortality rates from exposure to zeolites compared to other products, such as kaolin, its formulated product Surround, and the insecticide spinosad, were observed. Kaolin and Surround exhibited little or no effect for both application methods, while the hatch rate was reduced by 95% when spinosad was applied topically. Spinosad yielded egg and larvae mortality rates of 100% for both application methods. Additionally, increased oviposition activity was observed in adults exposed to the wettable powder (WP) formulations. These WP formulations increased egg deposition, while Surround and spinosad elicited a negative oviposition response. (4) Conclusions: It can be derived that the tested products, zeolites BEA (Beta polymorph A), FAU (Faujasite), LTA (Linde type A), and their formulations, had no real insecticidal activity against the eggs of T. absoluta. Nevertheless, egg exposure to zeolites seemed to affect the development process by weakening the first instar larvae and increasing their mortality. Subsequently, based on the choice test, no significant difference was observed between the number of eggs laid on the treated leaves and control leaves.

The Effect of Nanozeolite Concentration in a Delivery System of HaNPV1 to the Lethal Time against Crocidolomia pavonana

“…The consumed cabbage with the formulation was ingested by the larvae and firstly, the nanozeolite particles were absorbed by larval midgut and then the polyhedra directly entered the larval midgut lead to infection of the larval body cells. This phenomenon was also reported that the use of zeolites accelerated the lethal time in Tuta absoluta and as a result absorbed the liquid in the insect's body (De Smedt et al, 2016). In this study, the use of HaNPV 1 tailored with a delivery system of nanozeolite was effective in accelerating the lethal time and significantly enhanced the mortality against C. pavonana larvae.…”

“…It is also reported the similar phenomena that zeolite kills insects mainly by abrasive action or by absorption of epicuticular lipids from the insect exoskeleton causing excessive dehydration (Lu et al, 2017). Also, zeolites work by creating a barrier film by covering the leaves with a white powdery film, which adheres and irritates insects (De Smedt et al, 2016).…”

Effects of Siliceous Natural Nanomaterials Applied in Combination with Foliar Fertilizers on Physiology, Yield and Fruit Quality of the Apricot and Peach Trees

“…Desiccant activity, resulting from the active surfaces with water sorption capacity and large volumes of pores and interconnected nanotunnels, is responsible for the activity against plant pathogens and pests from stored grains [3] or leaves [11]. Large volumes of free space and active surfaces, with cation exchange capacity and/or polarized molecules, are involved in the improving effects of SNNMs on soils or growing media [12,13].…”

Oviposition deterrent activities of some plant extracts against tomato leaf miner, Tuta Absoluta meyrick (Lepidoptera: Gelehiidae)

“…11 On the contrary, it was revealed that the number of eggs laid by T. absoluta females on the treated leaves did not differ significantly from the control, with the exception of leaves treated with zeolits. 12 T. parthenium and T. vulgare are medicinal plants. There are many studies on the effect of T. parthenium and T. vulgare extracts on other insects.…”