Influence of Type of Electric Bright Light on the Attraction of the African Giant Water Bug,Lethocerus indicus(Hemiptera: Belostomatidae)

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of type of electric bright light (produced by fluorescent light tube and incandescent light bulb) on the attraction of the African giant water bug, Lethocerus indicus (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae). Four fluorescent light tubes of 15 watts each, producing white-coloured light and four incandescent light bulbs of 60 watts each, producing yellow-coloured light, but both producing the same amount of light, were varied and used for the experiments. Collections of bugs at experimental house were done at night between the hours of 8.30 pm and 12 mid-night on daily basis for a period of four months per experiment in the years 2008 and 2009. Lethocerus indicus whose presence in any environment has certain implications was the predominant belostomatid bug in the area. Use of incandescent light bulbs in 2009 significantly attracted more Lethocerus indicus 103 (74.6%) than use of fluorescent light tubes 35 (25.41%) in 2008 [P < 0.05; P (Z > 4.92) = 0.0001]. However, bug's attraction to light source was not found sex dependent [P > 0.05; P (Z > 0.18) = 0.4286 and Z > 0.28 = 0.3897]. Therefore, this study recommends the use of fluorescent light by households, campgrounds, and other recreational centres that are potentially exposed to the nuisance of the giant water bugs. Otherwise, incandescent light bulbs should be used when it is desired to attract the presence of these aquatic bugs either for food or scientific studies.

Ecology of giant water bugs (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Belostomatidae)

“…Lethocerines, also called “electric light bugs,” are frequently attracted to light in large numbers (Menke ; Ono ; Yoon et al . ; Nwosu & Nwosu ; Nagaba & Takeda ). It is known that the flight activity of belostomatids is highest during the wet season and around the full moon (Bowden ; Cullen ; Duvirad ).…”

“…Dispersal behavior in aquatic insects is influenced by abiotic and biotic factors (Boda & Csabai 2013). Lethocerines, also called "electric light bugs," are frequently attracted to light in large numbers (Menke 1979;Ono 1995;Yoon et al 2010;Nwosu & Nwosu 2012;Nagaba & Takeda 2013). It is known that the flight activity of belostomatids is highest during the wet season and around the full moon (Bowden 1964;Cullen 1969;Duvirad 1974).…”