Lethal effect of blue light on Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

In our previous studies, we found that blue light has a lethal effect on various insect species and demonstrated that the most effective wavelength to control the hygiene pest, the mosquito, Culex pipiens form molestus (Diptera: Culicidae), is ~ 420 nm through all developmental stages. The genera Aedes and Culex include many globally crucial hygiene pest species that transmit serious diseases to humans and animals. However, effective lethal wavelengths have been shown to differ among insect species. In this study, we investigated the lethal effects of blue light on the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, using light-emitting diodes. Blue-light irradiation had a lethal effect on the larvae, pupae, and adults of Ae. albopictus. In particular, the 417-nm blue-light wavelength had a strong lethal effect on the larvae, showing 100% mortality before pupation at the photon flux density of 10 × 1018 photons·m−2·s−1. In contrast, no blue-light wavelength had a lethal effect on the eggs. Moreover, the 417-nm wavelength had the strongest effect on the pupae among the tested blue-light wavelengths. Our findings indicate that ~ 420 nm is the most promising blue-light wavelength to control populations of Ae. albopictus and C. pipiens f. molestus.

Negative phototaxis of jumping cocooned parasitoid wasp larvae against short wavelengths and physicochemical properties of the cocoon shell

“…The immediate avoidance of these environmental conditions is adaptive for longer periods because the mortality of the cocooned larvae is much higher under the sun (82.1% at maximum soil temperature ≥ 40.2 °C, full sunlight is 108,000 lx) than under the shade (4.5% at maximum soil temperature ≥ 29.9 °C) during the summer months of August and September 24 . Blue light is known to be lethal for insects 36 , 37 and this may be caused by the blue light enhancing the production of reactive oxygen species, such as in microbes and human cells 38 , 39 . Therefore, the avoidance of blue light directly reduces the lethal effect.…”

Blue Light Exposure Caused Large-Scale Transcriptional Changes in the Abdomen and Reduced the Reproductive Fitness of the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda

“…In the present study, we found that blue light exposure negatively affected the development, survival and reproductive fitness of S. frugiperda, with longer exposure resulting in harmful effects (Figures 1 and 2). Previous studies have shown that blue light irradiation can kill insects and that the lethal wavelengths of blue light are species-specific [6,7,16]. A few studies also demonstrated that blue light exposure negatively affected the T1H, T2H and T3H refer to female head from T1, T2 and T3 treatments, respectively; T1T, T2T and T3T refer to female thorax from T1, T2 and T3 treatments, respectively; T1A, T2A and T3A refer to female abdomen from T1, T2 and T3 treatments, respectively; CKH, CKT and CKA refer to control female head, thorax and abdomen, respectively; VS, versus.…”

“…In the present study, we found that blue light exposure negatively affected the development, survival and reproductive fitness of S. frugiperda, with longer exposure resulting in harmful effects (Figures 1 and 2). Previous studies have shown that blue light irradiation can kill insects and that the lethal wavelengths of blue light are species-specific [6,7,16]. A few studies also demonstrated that blue light exposure negatively affected the reproduction of insects [53,58,59].…”

“…A large number of studies have documented the ecological consequences of artificial light on animal physiology, psychology and behavior, such as preventing some nocturnal Insects 2024, 15, 10. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010010 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/insects animals from foraging, causing habitat fragmentation and aggregating insects making them vulnerable to predation, as well as reducing the population of insects [1][2][3][4][5]. Studies also show that some short-wavelength lights, such as ultraviolet (UV) light and blue light, have lethal effects on insects [6][7][8]. Thus, in agriculture, artificial lights have been widely used for pest monitoring and management [9].…”

Negative phototaxis of jumping cocooned parasitoid wasp larvae against short wavelengths and physicochemical properties of the cocoon shell

“…The immediate avoidance of these environmental conditions is adaptive for longer periods because the mortality of the cocooned larvae is much higher under the sun (82.1% at maximum soil temperature ≥ 40.2°C, full sunlight is 108,000 lux) than under the shade (4.5% at maximum soil temperature ≥ 29.9°C) for two summer months; August and September 18 . Blue light is known to be lethal for insects 28,29 and this may be caused by the blue light enhancing the production of reactive oxygen species as in microbes and human cells 30,31 . Therefore, the avoidance of blue light directly reduces the lethal effect.…”