Phototactic behavioral response of agricultural insects and stored-product insects to light-emitting diodes (LEDs)

Abstract

Agricultural insects and stored-product insects are influenced by luminance intensities, exposure times, and wavelengths of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Based on the phototactic behaviors of the agricultural insects, green or blue LEDs are most attractive for Bemisia tabaci, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Myzus persicae, Liriomyza trifolii, Spodoptera exigua, and Spodoptera litura. Green LED attracts Plutella xylostella and Frankliniella occidentalis. Similarly, green or blue LEDs are more attractive to agricultural insects, such as Liriomyza sativae, Sogatella furcifera, and Nilaparvata lugens, than other wavelength LEDs. Concerning the phototactic behaviors of the stored-product insects, red LED is attractive for, in descending order Tribolium castaneum, Sitophilus zeamais, Lasioderma serricorne, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae. Blue LED captures most Sitophilus oryzae and Sitotroga cerealella. Red and blue LEDs are more attractive for stored-product insect pests rate than ultraviolet LED and green, yellow, white, and infrared LEDs. Based on the attraction rate of the stored-product insects on granary, red LED is most attractive for S. cerealella and Plodia interpunctella. These light sources are effective in controlling agricultural and stored-product insects. Applying LED technology for greenhouses and granaries along with conventional traps reduces crop loss due to moths, beetles, aphids, and weevils. LEDs have potential value in integrated pest management.