Efficacy of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles using Leaf Extract of Melia azedarach against Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to the study of biosynthesized AgNPs using leaf
extracts of M. azedarach in S. frugiperda. The UV spectrum of the aqueous medium containing silver
nanoparticles showed an absorption peak at around 400 nm. FTIR was performed to identify the
functional groups related to different chemical compounds. XRD pattern confirmed the formation of
nanocrystals in nature. SEM has been used to investigate the morphology of prepared AgNPs. Third
instar larvae were exposed to different concentrations of synthesized AgNPs for 24 hrs. The highest
mortality was observed in aqueous extract and synthesized AgNPs against third instars larvae of S.
frugiperda of LC50 and LC90 values of 36.83(28.05-57.78), 85.71(55.65-425.73) and 25.44(18.27-
33.60), 58.65(41.82-143.87) respectively. The silver nanoparticle was found to larvicidal activity against
S. frugiperda.
Key words: M. azedarach, UV, FTIR, XRD, SEM