Evaluation of Different Light Colors in Solar Trap as Attractants to Cereal and Legume Insect Pests

Abstract

Solar light traps of different wavelength and color lights: white, red (680±20nm), yellow (600±20nm), green (525±25nm), blue (400±10nm), black light blue (365±10nm) or a convertible light (various wavelengths) were used to cereal and legume fields in order to evaluate the response of major insect pests belonging to order Lepidoptera, Hemiptera and Coleoptera. Sampling was done every 10 days. The capture of the insect species was significantly affected by the light color as well as sampling date. Also the interaction between the light color and time was significant. Black light blue light showed highly significantly increased result of trapped insect species except plant hoppers. This light color can be used as light traps for monitoring as well as mass trapping of the insect species. Combine use of semiochemicals and the black light blue light in the trap may enhance the trap effectiveness against the cereal and legume pests, and can be used as a promising integrated pest management tool.