Developing a <i>Hazomalania voyronii</i> Essential Oil Nanoemulsion for the Eco-Friendly Management of <i>Tribolium confusum, Tribolium castaneum</i> and <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> Larvae and Adults on Stored Wheat
Nickolas G. Kavallieratos,
Erifili P. Nika,
Anna Skourti,
Nikoletta Ntalli,
Maria C. Boukouvala,
Catherine T. Ntalaka,
Filippo Maggi,
Rianasoambolanoro Rakotosaona,
Marco Cespi,
Diego Romano Perinelli,
Angelo Canale,
Giulia Bonacucina,
Giovanni Benelli
Affiliations
Nickolas G. Kavallieratos
Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Attica, Greece
Erifili P. Nika
Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Attica, Greece
Anna Skourti
Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Attica, Greece
Nikoletta Ntalli
Laboratory of Efficacy Assessment of Pesticides, Scientific Directorate of Pesticides’ Assessment and Phytopharmacy, Benaki Phytopathological Institute, 8 Stefanou Delta Str., 14561 Kifissia, Attica, Greece
Maria C. Boukouvala
Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Attica, Greece
Catherine T. Ntalaka
Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Attica, Greece
Filippo Maggi
School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Rianasoambolanoro Rakotosaona
Centre National d’Application de Recherches Pharmaceutiques, Ambodivoanjo Ambohijatovo, Rue RP Rahajarizafy Analamahitsy, BP 702, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
Marco Cespi
School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Diego Romano Perinelli
School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Angelo Canale
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Giulia Bonacucina
School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy
Giovanni Benelli
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
Most insecticides commonly used in storage facilities are synthetic, an issue that generates concerns about food safety and public health. Therefore, the development of eco-friendly pest management tools is urgently needed. In the present study, a 6% (w/w) Hazomalania voyronii essential oil-based nanoemulsion (HvNE) was developed and evaluated for managing Tribolium confusum, T. castaneum, and Tenebrio molitor, as an eco-friendly wheat protectant. Larval and adult mortality was evaluated after 4, 8, and 16 h, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days, testing two HvNE concentrations (500 ppm and 1000 ppm). T. confusum and T. castaneum adults and T. molitor larvae were tolerant to both concentrations of the HvNE, reaching 13.0%, 18.7%, and 10.3% mortality, respectively, at 1000 ppm after 7 days of exposure. However, testing HvNE at 1000 ppm, the mortality of T. confusum and T. castaneum larvae and T. molitor adults 7 days post-exposure reached 92.1%, 97.4%, and 100.0%, respectively. Overall, the HvNE can be considered as an effective adulticide or larvicide, depending on the target species. Our results highlight the potential of H. voyronii essential oil for developing green nanoinsecticides to be used in real-world conditions against key stored-product pests.
