Significance: Fungus-cultivating termites are icons of ecologically successful herbivores in (sub)tropical ecosystems, cultivating Termitomyces fungi for overcoming the rigid lignin barrier of wood resources. To date, research on these ectosymbiotic fungi has only identified laccases, rather than the typical ligninolytic peroxidases. Using 2D gel-state NMR, we chemically tracked the fate of lignin from the original poplar wood throughout the complex food-processing system in a farming termite. We found young worker termites rapidly depolymerize and degrade even the most recalcitrant wood lignin structures, facilitating polysaccharide cleavage by symbiotic fungi. These results suggest that the natural systems for lignin degradation/pretreatment are far beyond the systems currently recognized and are potential sources of novel ligninolytic agents, enabling more efficient plant cell wall utilization.

Mosquitoes act as key vector for transmission of devastating parasites and pathogens which affect millions of people globally. In this research, the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles of Cassia fistula fruit pulp as an innovative and operative tool against vector mosquitoes is presented. Silver nanoparticles were characterized by a series of techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscope and confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscope, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and X-ray diffraction. Silver nanoparticles were highly effective against the larvae (I–IV instar) and pupae of Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens pallens after 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment. Ae. albopictus had LC50 values ranging from 8.3 mg/L (I instar) to 17.3 mg/L (pupae) and LC50 ranging from 1.1 mg/L (I instar) to 19.0 mg/L (pupae) against Cx. pipiens pallens. The systemic effect of AgNPs was further assessed in the fourth instar larvae of Ae. albopictus and Cx. pipiens pallens by measuring the levels of total proteins and activity of two important marker enzymes: Acetylcholinesterase and α- and β-carboxylesterase. Overall, the findings of the study suggest that the use of Cassia fistula-fruit pulp extract mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles can be used for controlling vector mosquitoes. This is the first report on the mosquito larvicidal and pupicidal activity of AgNPs synthesized by Cassia fistula fruit pulp and its possible mechanism of action.

Termites are eusocial arthropod decomposers, and improve soil fertility, crop yield, and also are used by humans for their benefits across the world. However, some species of termites are becoming a threat to the farming community as they are directly and indirectly causing major losses to the agricultural system. It is estimated that termites cost the global economy more than 40 billion USD annually, and considerable research has been done on their management. In this review, we present the available information related to sustainable and integrated termite management practices (ITM). Furthermore, we insist that the better management of this menace can be possible through: (i) improving traditional methods to keep termites away from crops; (ii) improving agricultural practices to maintain plants with more vigor and less susceptible to termite attack; and (iii) integration of available techniques to reduce termite infestation in crops and surroundings. The application of an effective combination of traditional practices with recently developed approaches is the best option for agricultural growers. Moreover, keeping in mind the beneficial nature of this pest, more innovative efforts for its management, particularly using rapidly emerging technology (e.g., RNA interference), are needed.

Culex pipiens pallens are the most common mosquito’s vector in Asia. In order to protect the people from diseases, the anti-mosquito population is necessary that uses safe and new bio-pesticides such as bacteria-AgNPs. In our report, we used two kinds of bacteria to synthesize silver nanoparticles to examine the toxic effect on the larvae and pupae of Cx. pipiens pallens and also used as antimicrobial activity. The biosynthesis of AgNPs and its characterization was carried out by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR, TEM, SEM, and EDX. The larvicidal and pupicidal assays revealed that the lethal concentration LC₅₀ values of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens-AgNPs were 0.72 ppm (I), 0.73 ppm (II), 0.69 ppm (III), 1.16 ppm (IV), and 4.18 (Pupae), while LC₅₀ values of Bacillus subtilis-AgNPs were 0.60 ppm (I), 0.62 ppm (II), 0.21 ppm (III), 0.28 ppm (IV), and 3.46 ppm (Pupae) after 72 h of exposure. Antibacterial activity test of AgNPs reveals better results against rice pathogenic bacteria than bacteria alone. Thus, bacteria-mediated silver nanoparticles have a rapid effect on vector mosquito and microbial pathogen suggesting savings of energy and resources. Hence, bacteria-AgNPs may be used in the future as an effective weapon to control vector mosquito and harmful bacteria.

Background: Despite developments in nanotechnology for use in the pharmaceutical field, there is still a need for implementation of this technology in agrochemistry. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully prepared by a facile and an eco-friendly route using two different ligands, 2ʹ-amino-1,1ʹ:4ʹ,1″-terphenyl-3,3″,5,5″-tetracarboxylic acid (H₄L) and 1,3,6,8-tetrakis (p-benzoic acid)-pyrene (TBAPy), as reducing agents. The physiochemical properties of the as-obtained AgNPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The toxicity of H₄L–AgNP and TBAPy–AgNP against the brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens) was also measured. Results: SEM and TEM analyses demonstrated the formation of quasi-spherical AgNP structures in the presence of H₄L and TBAPy. Insecticidal assays showed that TBAPy is less effective against N. lugens, with a median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) of 810 mg/L, while the toxicity of H₄L increased and their LC₅₀ reached 786 mg/L 168 h posttreatment at a high concentration of 2000 mg/L. H₄L–AgNPs were also highly toxic at a low concentration of 20 mg/L, with LC₅₀ = ~ 3.9 mg/L 168 h posttreatment, while TBAPy–AgNPs exhibited less toxicity at the same concentration, with LC₅₀ = ~ 4.6 mg/L. Conclusions: These results suggest that the synthesized AgNPs using the two ligands may be a safe and cheaper method compared with chemical insecticides for protection of rice plants from pests and has potential as an effective insecticide in the N. lugens pest management program.