Role of metallic nanoparticles in the control of hazardous insects affecting plants and animals

The necessity for more agricultural production can be fulfilled by increasing crop productivity because the cultivated area is constrained. The main source of food and nutrients for domestic animals and humans comes directly or indirectly from agriculture. However, along with climate change, plant diseases, pests, poor soil health, weeds, natural disasters, and reduced nutrient availability, all contribute to a large loss of worldwide crop production under current farming practices. According to the latest studies, insects account for almost 20-40% of all yield losses in agriculture each year, with acute infestations causing even more harm in some areas. One of the main concerns for international food security is the financial burden of controlling these pests, both in terms of direct output losses and the expenses related to pest control procedures. Application of pesticides on the farm poses a variety of challenges for farmers, who must decide which pesticides to use for a given pest as well as when and how to apply them. Nanotechnology has been widely used in agriculture to boost the production of crops through a variety of methods, including control of pests, seed treatment, enhancement of the germination process, nutrient balance, and improved fertilizer delivery. In this review, the role of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) against hazardous insects (pests) in their control and the mechanism of actions of MNPs have been summarized.