Effective wavelength to attract Bemisia tabaci biotype Q (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is an important pest of many horticultural crops. Due to resistance development, whiteflies are difficult to control using chemical pesticides. This study aimed to explore the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of different wavelengths, from near-ultraviolet to near-infrared (375, 470, 500, 525, 570, 660, and 850 nm), to trap B. tabaci adults. Seven LED panels and one non-lighting panel with transparent adhesive sheets were installed in a greenhouse where B. tabaci adults (biotype Q) were released. The number of B. tabaci adults trapped on the adhesive sheets after irradiation was counted. These experiments were conducted in summer and winter, during daytime and nighttime. In the summer experiment, B. tabaci adults were most frequently trapped at 525 nm (green) and 375 nm (ultraviolet A [UVA]) during the daytime and nighttime, respectively. In the winter experiment, B. tabaci adults were most often trapped at 525 nm during the daytime, although the numbers were very low, possibly due to their low density in the greenhouse. In the winter nighttime experiment, B. tabaci adults were not trapped at any wavelength, regardless of heating. In conclusion, 525 nm LED light (green) during the daytime and 375 nm LED light [UVA] during the nighttime may be used to attract B. tabaci (biotype Q) adults. LEDs that attract specific pests may be applied not only for pest control but also for monitoring. This study may serve as a basis for the use of LEDs in strengthening integrated pest management programs.