Efficacy of nano silver particules and Lantana camara L. extract against pre-adult stages of potato moth [Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller)]

Potato is an economically important product in Turkey. The Potato Tuber Moth [(Phthorimaea operculella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae)] is one of the most important pests on the potato plants from the field production stage to the storage. Traditionally, insecticides are widely used in the control of this pest. However, today, due to the negative side effects of the chemicals, the trend towards alternative control methods is increasing. In this study, the egg hatching inhibition and larvicidal efficiency of the extracts of nano silver particle (AgNp) from Lantana camara L (Verbenaceae) plants were investigated instead of traditional chemicals against potato tuber moth, in the laboratory of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University of Plant Protection Department (Tokat, Turkey), in 2018. For this purpose, four different concentrations of L. camara plant extracts were used and the most effective egg hatching prevention rate was determined at 12% concentration as 82.67% and 70.70% at 200 ppm concentration of nano silver extract respectively. With 94.95% egg hatching inhibition rate, Nano silver particles with L. camara extract was found at the highest concentration It has been concluded that the common effect of L. camara and nano silver are increased more than when they are applied separately. In the larvicidal efficacy study against P. operculella larvae, the maximum mortality rate was found as 69.04% for the solely application of nano silver extract, while it was determined as 67.69% solely for Lantana spp. extract. On the other hand, the mortality rates were recorded as 70.25% at 150ppm and 84.89% at 200 ppm at combine application of both solutions on the larvae. As a result, it has been determined that the plant extract is highly effective on the pre-mature stages on the potato tuber moth and the the plant extract application of L. camara with nano silver particles has a synergistic effect and increases the mortality rate.