Multi-modal nanoformulation for insect pest control: Engineering precision strategies for next-generation management

Abstract

Chemical pesticides have long served as a primary strategy for insect pest control. However, their excessive and repeated application has led to widespread environmental contamination, adverse effects on non-target organisms, accumulation in ecosystems, and increased cases of insecticide resistance. These effects not only disrupt ecological balance but also pose significant risks to human and animal health. In response, Nanoformulations (NFs) offer precise delivery with a reduced environmental footprint and minimal harm to non-target organisms. They are classified based on the type of nanomaterials used and their specific functional applications in pest control. Optimizing their physicochemical properties is crucial for enhancing bioactivity and formulation stability. These parameters can be analyzed using advanced characterization techniques. Engineered NFs act through multiple pathways to target a wide range of insect pests, including sap feeders, defoliators, borers, and mites. Their mode of action includes adhesion to the insect cuticle and ingestion-mediated uptake. Once internalized, they interfere with midgut enzymatic activity, cellular uptake mechanisms, and cause mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to oxidative stress, ATP depletion, neurotoxicity, and genotoxic effects. These disruptions compromise insect physiology and result in mortality. Additionally, NFs enable controlled and stimuli-responsive release mechanisms, triggered by specific biotic or environmental cues. This smart release enhances target precision while minimizing off-target exposure. Their integration into pest management programs supports site-specific, low-dose applications aligned with the goals of precision agriculture. This review critically explores the mechanisms, functional properties, and application potential of nano-formulated insecticides as a sustainable and effective alternative to conventional practices.

Keywords: Controlled release system; Conventional pesticides; Environmental sustainability; Nano-toxicology; Physicochemical characterization; Precision pest management.