# Effects of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes on the Development and Reproductive Performance of Tetranychus turkestani

## TL;DR

This study shows that single-walled carbon nanotubes can slow the growth and reproduction of spider mites, suggesting potential for pest control.

## Contribution

The study provides a demographic basis for evaluating SWCNTs as a tool in nano-enabled pest management.

## Key findings

- SWCNT exposure prolonged juvenile development and reduced egg-laying in Tetranychus turkestani.
- Population growth indicators like r and λ declined significantly with SWCNT concentration.
- At 0.4 mg/mL, fecundity dropped to 40.57 ± 2.42 offspring per female.

## Abstract

Spider mites are notorious pests that rapidly develop resistance and are difficult to control in many crops. Concurrently, carbon-based nanomaterials like single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are emerging as promising tools in agriculture. However, their direct effects on pest population growth remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated how SWCNTs affect the development and reproduction of the spider mite Tetranychus turkestani. Using a detailed life table approach, we found that exposure to SWCNTs prolonged the juvenile development time and reduced the egg-laying capacity of the mites. Key indicators of population growth were also suppressed. These results provide crucial evidence that SWCNTs can inhibit spider mite population growth. This study not only contributes to the environmental risk assessment of nanomaterials but also provides a demographic basis for evaluating their potential utility as innovative components in nano-enabled pest management strategies.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show strong potential for improving crop productivity and stress resilience, but their direct effects on agricultural pests require careful evaluation. Here, we assessed single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) on the spider mite Tetranychus turkestani (Acari: Tetranychidae) using an age-stage, two-sex life table. Leaf disks treated with SWCNTs (0.004, 0.04, 0.2, 0.4 mg/mL) were used to measure development, survival, and reproduction. SWCNT exposure significantly prolonged pre-adult development and reduced female fecundity in a concentration-dependent manner. Population parameters (r, λ) declined significantly in treated groups, while mean generation time (T) increased with concentration. At 0.4 mg/mL, fecundity dropped to 40.57 ± 2.42 offspring per female and population projection was lowest. Overall, SWCNTs inhibited mite development and reproduction in a concentration-dependent manner, providing a demographic basis for ecological risk assessment and suggesting potential utility as a tool or carrier system for integrated spider mite management.