Due to the increased production of polyacrylamide microplastics in the environment impacting the adverse effects on aquatic organisms have become a global concern. The present study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of different concentrations (0.018, 0.03 0.09 g/1) of polyacrylamide microplastics on Oreochromis niloticus. Polyacrylamide microplastics were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The FTIR technique revealed the spherical morphology and size range of polyacrylamide (0.1–0.4 mm) with 99 % purity. Raman Spectroscopy results showed peaks around (1100 cm⁻¹ and 1650 cm⁻¹) in gills, these peaks confirmed the presence of polyacrylamide microplastics in the gills of Oreochromis niloticus. Polyacrylamide microplastics significantly shortened the antioxidant enzymes (Catalase and Reduced glutathione) proceedings and the increase was observed in Malondialdehyde and Lipid peroxide levels in high-dose treated groups. Moreover, total protein contents were expressively increased, while other blood parameters (AST, ALP, ALT) were significantly decreased. Hemoglobin (g/dl), Erythrocyte (106/µl) and TLC (1x10⁹/l) levels were reduced significantly (p < 0.05) in high concentrations. The administration of polyacrylamide microplastics induced different histological changes in the gills, liver and intestine of O. niloticus. It was concluded that polyacrylamide microplastics are toxic agents having harmful effects on fish health.

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a devastating pest that attacks a wide range of crops, including sugarcane, rice, and maize. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the toxicity potential of native plant extracts (Azadirachta indica, Eucalyptus globulus, Parthenium hysterophorus, Cannabis sativa, Citrullus colocynthis, Nicotiana tabacum) against S. frugiperda. Four different concentrations (50, 100, 200, and 400 ppm) of the ethanolic plant extracts was evaluated against S. frugiperda third-instar larvae to determine their median lethal concentration (LC₅₀). After 72 h of exposure, the LC₅₀ values of A. indica, E. globulus, P. hysterophorus, C. sativa, C. colocynthis, N. tabacum, and positive control (Spinetoram) were 186.104, 518.438, 320.027, 334.259, 252.651, 720.980 and 189.369 ppm respectively. The maximum percent mortality was caused by the highest concentration (400 ppm) of A. indica (64 ± 0.18), E. globulus (48 ± 0.22), P. hysterophorus (56 ± 0.18), C. sativa (56 ± 0.18), C. colocynthis (60 ± 0.00), and N. tabacum (40 ± 0.28), after 72 h of treatment while Spinetoram induced 100 ± 0.00 percent mortality of S. frugiperda and only 4 ± 0.18 percent mortality was recorded in a control group. Results showed that all plant extracts were found to be effective against S. frugiperda. The compounds from the two most effective ethanolic plant extracts were identified by using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). The key compounds identified in neem leaf extract and kortuma fruit extract are predominantly biologically active molecules. Many of them were volatile compounds that belonged to different chemical categories, such as fatty acids, hydrocarbons, esters, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, and amines. Terpenes exhibited a wide range of different biological activities, such as serving as insecticides and antifeedant. The presence of various functional groups in the plant extract was determined by conducting a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Farmers should employ these kinds of environmental friendly insecticides to lessen the impact of fall armyworm because these products are cheaper to use and better for the economy and the environment.

The deterioration of stored wheat due to pest infestations is a significant concern, with pests like Rhyzopertha dominica, Tribolium castaneum, Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Sitophilus oryzae, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, and Trogoderma granarium being major contributors. This study examined the efficacy of spinosad and alpha-cypermethrin, individually and in combination, against these pests under laboratory conditions. Spinosad was tested at two concentrations (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg), while alpha-cypermethrin was applied at 0.05 mg/kg. The combined application of both insecticides led to significantly higher pest mortality compared to single treatments. Importantly, all treatments caused substantial pest mortality and exhibited the ability to suppress pest progeny production over time, as observed in both laboratory and persistence trials. Among the various treatment combinations, the joint application of 0.1 mg/kg spinosad and 0.05 mg/kg alpha-cypermethrin emerged as the most effective, resulting in elevated mortality and a marked reduction in pest progeny. Rhyzopertha dominica exhibited the highest susceptibility among the pests, followed by S. oryzae, T. castaneum, C. ferrugineus, O. surinamensis, and T. granarium. The remarkable performance of the joint action of alpha-cypermethrin and spinosad at low doses highlights this combination as an efficacious approach for safeguarding stored grain against these destructive insect pests, warranting further exploration.

| Pakistan faces considerable losses in the field of agriculture every year as a result of termite activity. Numerous crops, particularly sugarcane, cotton, and wheat, are severely damaged by termites, resulting in substantial economic loss. Termites can potentially inflict significant agricultural losses, ranging from 20% to 45% of the harvest yield. Termites are also known to cause damage to stored food, wooden objects, household furniture, paper products, and various synthetic materials. They can attack both buried and above-ground parts of plants. They bite and chew on tubers, young and old leaves, stems, lower branches of the plants, and peanut seeds. Termite infestation is a considerable problem in the livelihood of the farmers of Pakistan. Termite swarming is a major problem and revenue constraint in the area, destroying crops in the field and store. Forests and orchards are rarely termites free, particularly when conditions are favourable for termites, such as drought. Furthermore, pasture lands used for grazing are susceptible to termites, leading to an acute shortage of animal feed. In this review, we tried to reveal all about the damages of termites in agriculture of Pakistan.

Bracon hebetor (Say) is an eco-friendly and important biological control agent against numerous destructive insect pests worldwide. Its beneficial role is increasingly attracting the attention of growers seeking sustainable pest management solutions. However, some conventional and novel insecticides exhibit toxic effects on B. hebetor. The present study aimed to assess the toxicity of six commonly used synthetic insecticides, emamectin benzoate, acetamiprid, chlorpyrifos, imidacloprid, lufenuron, and flubendiamide, against the larval parasitoid B. hebetor under laboratory conditions (29 ± 1°C; 60 ± 5% RH). The experiment was conducted at the Toxicology Laboratory of the Entomological Research Institute, AARI, Faisalabad, Pakistan, using the vial residual method. Among the tested insecticides, chlorpyrifos was the most toxic to B. hebetor, with LC₅₀ values of 1901.16, 249.79, 81.13, 44.85, and 34.99 mg/L at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h post-exposure, respectively. Acetamiprid and imidacloprid exhibited moderate toxicity, with LC₅₀ values of 31.75 mg/L and 223.95 mg/L at 48 h, respectively. In contrast, lufenuron showed lower toxicity (LC₅₀ = 877.87 mg/L at 48 h), while emamectin benzoate and flubendiamide were the least toxic, with LC₅₀ values of 580.28 mg/L and 2,325.36 mg/L, respectively. These findings indicate varying levels of toxicity among the tested insecticides, highlighting the need for careful selection of insecticides to minimize adverse effects on B. hebetor. To maintain ecological balance and promote biological pest control, insecticides with the lowest impact on B. hebetor should be used judiciously.