Miko Keno R. Cruz

Mr. Miko Keno R. Cruz


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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14 December 2025 in Agronomy
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Miko Keno R. CruzMiko Keno R. Cruz
Miko Keno R. Cruz
Darija LemicDarija Lemic
Darija Lemic
Marko VincekovićMarko Vinceković
Marko Vinceković
MBMartina Pajač Beus
Martina Pajač Beus
Helena Viric GasparicHelena Viric Gasparic
Helena Viric Gasparic
Ivana Pajač ŽivkovićIvana Pajač Živković
Ivana Pajač Živković
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys Stål, 1855) is a globally invasive polyphagous pest that challenges conventional chemical control. We evaluated caffeine-based preparations—alone and combined with chitosan, acetic acid, and ethanol—against adults under laboratory conditions using topical application and 72 h mortality readouts. Among caffeine-in-water treatments, 3% (w/v) yielded the highest mortality (52.5%), indicating an efficacy peak constrained by solubility/precipitation. The most effective overall formulation was 1% caffeine + 1% chitosan + 3% acetic acid, reaching 57.5% mortality and outperforming higher caffeine loads (3–5%). Ethanol as a co-solvent consistently reduced efficacy across concentrations. Patterns across treatments indicate that bioefficacy was driven predominantly by formulation chemistry rather than dose: the chitosan–acetic acid matrix enhanced cuticular deposition, retention, and diffusion of caffeine, whereas high caffeine levels likely triggered detoxification responses and/or reduced bioaccessible dose due to precipitation. By enabling lower active ingredient loads with equal or greater bioactivity, the biodegradable chitosan–acid system improves the environmental profile of caffeine-based insecticides. These results identify a practical, low-complexity path to optimize caffeine delivery for H. halys control and support integration into IPM frameworks. Field validation, testing on earlier life stages, and assessment of non-target effects and resistance biomarkers are warranted to translate these findings into robust, sustainable pest management strategies.