Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Copper Oxide and Chromium Oxide Nanoparticles as Nano-Pesticides Against the Greater Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella)

Ali Salman Abdullah; Adel Ali Haider

doi:10.17605/cajmns.v6i3.2833

Ali Salman Abdullah Department of Life Sciences, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq
Adel Ali Haider Department of Life Sciences, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/cajmns.v6i3.2833

Keywords: Copper Oxide Nanoparticles, Chromium Oxide Nanoparticles, Greater Wax Moth, Nano-Pesticides, Integrated Pest Management

Abstract

This study was conducted in the laboratory of the College of Education for Pure Sciences at the University of Kirkuk from January 1, 2025, to April 1, 2025, with the aim of evaluating the effects of nanomaterials such as copper oxide (CuO) and chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) as nano-pesticides against the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella). Adult insects were treated with these nanomaterials, and their effects on the development of different life stages (eggs, larvae, pupae) were studied by measuring egg count, incubation period, hatching rate, and mortality rates. The results showed that the nanomaterials had a clear dose-dependent effect. At a concentration of 1000 ppm of copper oxide nanoparticles, the egg count significantly decreased to 47.8 eggs compared to 300 eggs in the control group. The incubation period also increased to 15.2 days at the same concentration, compared to 9.2 days in the control group. As for the hatching rate, it significantly decreased to 36.6% with copper oxide nanoparticles, reflecting the significant impact of high concentrations. Additionally, an increase in mortality rates in various stages (larvae and pupae) was recorded, with the mortality rate reaching 42% at 1000 ppm of copper oxide nanoparticles. Similar results were obtained with chromium oxide nanoparticles, which exhibited similar effects but with slight differences in efficacy between the two compounds. These findings suggest that copper oxide and chromium oxide nanoparticles can be effective insecticides in controlling the greater wax moth and enhance the potential use of nanotechnology in integrated pest management programs in an environmentally safe and effective manner.

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