Nanoparticles for pest control: current status and future perspectives

Abstract

In the current paper, we reviewed the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in crop protection, emphasizing the control of pests in the agricultural and urban environment. At the same time, we provide the framework on which the technology of NPs is based and the various categories of NPs that are currently used for pest control. Apart from the use of NPs as carriers of a broad category of active ingredients, including insecticides and pheromones, some NPs can be used successfully as insecticides alone. Moreover, several types of NPs are produced by natural resource-based substances, which make them promising “green” alternatives to the use of traditional pest control agents. Finally, the potentials in the use of NPs are briefly illustrated and discussed. © 2017, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.