Abstract
The present study was conducted to establish an electrostatic-based experimental system to enable new investigations of insect behavior. The instrument consists of an insulated conducting copper ring (ICR) linked to a direct current voltage generator to supply a negative charge to an ICR and a grounded aluminum pole (AP) passed vertically through the center of the horizontal ICR. An electric field was formed between the ICR and the AP. Rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae) was selected as a model insect due to its habit of climbing erect poles. The electric field produced a force that could be imposed on the insect. In fact, the negative electricity (free electrons) was forced out of the insect to polarize its body positively. Eventually, the insect was attracted to the oppositely charged ICR. The force became weaker on the lower regions of the pole; the insects sensed the weaker force with their antennae, quickly stopped climbing, and retraced their steps. These behaviors led to a pole-ascending–descending action by the insect, which was highly reproducible and precisely corresponded to the changed expansion of the electric field. Other pole-climbing insects including the cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne), which was shown to adopt the same behavior.
Highlights
Electrostatic devices have been developed as physical tools to create pest-free spaces in various facilities based on their insect-capturing [1,2,3,4] and -repelling functions [5]
The insect-repelling function of the electrostatic apparatus depends on the intrinsic behavior of insects in response to an electric field; that is, insects are deterred from entering the electric field of the apparatus
Electric fields are a physical phenomenon that can have a strong influence on insect behavior
Summary
Electrostatic devices have been developed as physical tools to create pest-free spaces in various facilities based on their insect-capturing [1,2,3,4] and -repelling functions [5]. The insect-repelling function of the electrostatic apparatus depends on the intrinsic behavior of insects in response to an electric field; that is, insects are deterred from entering the electric field of the apparatus. This characteristic behavior has been confirmed in a wide range of pest and non-pest insects (17 orders, 42 families, 45 genera, and 82 insect species) [5]. These results suggest that insects have a natural tendency to avoid electric fields. Because insects are not exposed to electric fields under natural conditions, it remains unclear how they were able to sense their existence
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