Sharma, Preetam Kumar;
Wei, Liya;
Thakur, Atul;
Pan, Jialing;
Chen, Chang;
Soin, Navneet;
Kang, Le;
(2025)
Nanoparticles alter locust development and behaviour.
Nanoscale
10.1039/d4nr04993d.
(In press).
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Abstract
Locusts, among the world's most destructive migratory pests, threaten food security by devastating crops and pastures. Conventional chemical insecticides pose environmental and health risks, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives. We demonstrate the efficacy of nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanoparticles (36 ± 10 nm), as a safe, cost-effective insecticide for locust management. These NiFe2O4 nanoparticles disrupt locust development by impairing blastokinesis and growth, thus resulting in malformed nymphs with compacted abdomens and disorganised body structures - primarily arising from significantly lower heart rates (30 bpm for control vs. 20 bpm for embryos exposed to NiFe2O4) and changes to end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions. Adult locusts retained ingested nanoparticles in their coelomic cavities, which could potentially be used as traceable markers for swarm tracking. Additionally, the nanoparticles were recoverable from soil with over 90% efficiency, minimising potential ecological impact. Our research therefore offers an innovative nanotechnology-based solution for sustainable and effective locust management.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Nanoparticles alter locust development and behaviour |
| Location: | England |
| DOI: | 10.1039/d4nr04993d |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1039/d4nr04993d |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Science & Technology, Physical Sciences, Technology, Chemistry, Multidisciplinary, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Multidisciplinary, Physics, Applied, Chemistry, Science & Technology - Other Topics, Materials Science, Physics, EXPOSURE |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > MAPS Faculty Office UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Maths and Physical Sciences > MAPS Faculty Office > Institute for Materials Discovery |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10206934 |
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