OICC Press International Nano Letters 2228-5326 10 2 (June 2020) 2020 06 05 Synthesis of mycogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles and preliminary determination of its efficacy as a larvicide against white grubs (Holotrichia sp.) 10.1007/s40089-020-00302-0 EN Gyanika Shukla Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, UP, IN Shailendra Singh Gaurav Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, UP, IN Amardeep Singh Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, UP, IN Journal Article 2020 06 05 Abstract In the present study, the larvicidal efficacy of mycogenic zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs) were tested against white grubs, a potent pest of sugarcane in western Uttar Pradesh (India). The ZONPs were synthesized using  Aspergillus niger  biomass and characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). the parts per million (ppm) concentration of synthesized ZONPs was established by the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) technique and several ppm dilutions were prepared to determine 50% lethal dose (LD50). The UV–Vis spectroscopy showed peaks at 240, 290, 340, and 380 nm, corresponding to ZONPs. The FESEM results also confirmed the synthesis of nano-sized particles. EDX analysis result showed the optical absorption peaks specific to ZONPs. The DLS result confirmed the synthesis of ZONPs with sizes ranging from 76.2 to 183.8 nm. The FTIR spectrum analysis confirmed the presence of various functional group interactions in the nanoparticle sample. The ZONPs were tested against the first instar larvae of white grubs. The LD 50 was calculated to be 12.63 ppm which still needs to be validated for significance. In the near future, we are planning to establish the minimal lethal dosage of ZONPs to prepare effective larvicidal formulations against white grub infection with minimal toxicity to the environment.