In the light of new greenhouse technologies: 2. Direct effects of artificial lighting on arthropods and integrated pest management in greenhouse crops

Abstract

Novel lighting technology offers the possibility of improved arthropod integrated pest management (IPM) in artificially lighted crops. This review compiles the current knowledge on how greenhouse pest and beneficial arthropods are directly affected by light, with the focus on whiteflies. The effect of ultraviolet depletion on orientation and colour‐coded phototaxis are to some extent studied and utilised for control of the flying adult stage of some pest species, but far less is known about the visual ecology of commercially used biological control agents and pollinators, and about how light affects arthropod biology in different life stages. Four approaches for utilisation of artificial light in IPM of whiteflies are suggested: (a) use of attractive visual stimuli incorporated into traps for monitoring and direct control, (b) use of visual stimuli that disrupt the host‐detection process, (c) radiation with harmful or inhibitory wavelengths to kill or suppress pest populations and (d) use of time cues to manipulate daily rhythms and photoperiodic responses. Knowledge gaps are identified to design a road map for research on IPM in crops lighted with high‐pressure sodium lamps, light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) and photoselective films. LEDs are concluded to offer possibilities for behavioural manipulation of arthropods, but the extent of such possibilities depends in practice on which wavelength combinations are determined to be optimal for plant production. Furthermore, the direct effects of artificial lighting on IPM must be studied in the context of plant‐mediated effects of artificial light on arthropods, as both types of manipulations are possible, particularly with LEDs.

Insect reactions to light and its applications to pest management

“…In addition, the impact of light on insect behavior varies both qualitatively and quantitatively depending on the light source (light bulb or light-emitting diode [LED]) and material (light-reflecting plate) (Antignus 2000;Coombe 1981Coombe , 1982Honda 2011;Johansen et al 2011;Matteson et al 1992;Nissinen et al 2008;Prokopy and Owens 1983;Smith 1976). In the remainder of this review, we discuss examples of technologies that are currently being used to control a variety of pests.…”

“…Equipped with UV-emitting fluorescent tubes, the insect killers effectively attract insects such as moths and beetles and prevent these insects from entering into greenhouses and stores that are open at night. In recent years, considerable interest has been generated in pest control technology that utilizes the responses of insects to light as a ''clean'' form of pest control that does not use synthetic pesticides (Antignus 2000;Ben-Yakir 2013;Emura and Tazawa 2004;Honda 2011;Johansen et al 2011;Tazawa 2009). Here, we review recent advances of pest control technologies that employ this method.…”

Bemisia tabaciBiotype Q Determined for the First Time on Poinsettia Crops in Finland and Sweden

“…This emphasizes the importance of preserving the current quarantine status of B. tabaci in Finland to prevent it from becoming established permanently here. In Finland, year-round greenhouse tomato and cucumber crops represent ideal ecological islands for both pest species in terms of the day length of ≥ 16 hours (Blackmer et al 2002, Chang & Zhu 2007, warm temperatures (Bonato et al 2007), difficulties for the establishment of natural enemies during winter (Johansen et al 2011), and resistance of both species to various insecticides (Elbert & Nauen 2001, Roditakis et al 2009). Nonetheless the increasing occurrence of resistant and highly resistance-prone whiteflies in imported plant material will complicate preservation of the quarantine status.…”

Seasonal climatic variations influence the efficacy of predatory mites used for control of western flower thrips in greenhouse ornamental crops

“…Light quality and quantity can have a substantial impact on the growth, development and efficacy of BCAs. Although it is known that predatory mites perform differently under varying light intensities and day lengths (Auger et al, 1999;Kazak et al, 2004;Weintraub et al, 2005), only a few studies have investigated possible interactions between these factors, and the impacts this may have on greenhouse BCAs (Johansen et al, 2011;Weintraub et al, 2005;Zilahi-Balogh et al, 2007). The actions of phytoseiids can be impacted directly by light reception and photophase (Gerson et al, 2003), or indirectly, through such effects as altered nutritional quality of the plant, plant defense mechanisms, volatile compound emission levels (Shipp et al, 2009;Vanninen et al, 2010) and behaviours associated with activity and movement when dehydrated (Gerson et al, 2003).…”

“…By artificially modifying light intensity and quality, the efficacy of BCAs may be affected negatively or positively. Arthropods use sight cues to orient, navigate, avoid predators, and locate prey, mates and suitable host plants (Johansen et al, 2011). A close relative of A.…”