Preparation, characterization and insecticidal activity of nanoformulation of some essential oils against red palm weevil (RPW), <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i>

The insecticidal activity of the bulk oils and its nanoformulation was determined against the 11 days old larvae of <i>Rhynchophorus ferrugineus</i> using the dipping method techniques. All the tested oils showed insecticidal activity against RPW larvae. The highest toxicity was obtained in the case of garden cress oils with LC₅₀ value of (1.27%) followed by ginger oil (1.28%), Neem oil (1.40%), and purple nutsedge oil (1.58%). However, the lowest toxicity was obtained in the case of castor oil (1.75%). A lower larval mortality percentage was observed in the nanoformulation compared to the bulk oils even when high concentrations of nanoformulation were used. Feeding bioassay with no choice test techniques was evaluated too the results indicate significantly reduced nutritional indices (RGR, ECI, FDI, and GII) of the treated <i>R. ferrugineus</i> concluded that tested oils and its nanoformulations may be useful for reducing the population of <i>R. ferrugineus</i>