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Insect Physical Control: Electric Field-Based Pest Management Approach

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A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Pest and Vector Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2021) | Viewed by 39776

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Hideyoshi Toyoda

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Guest Editor

1. President of Research Association of Electric Field Screen Supporters, Nara 631-8505, Japan
2. Department of Agricultural Science, Kindai University, Nara 631-8505, Japan
Interests: electrostatic engineering for pest control; quantitative sporulation analysis for fungal phytopathogens; behavior analysis of insect pests; physical and biological methodologies for pest control
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The protection of crops from attack by pests via safe and environmentally benign methods has been a long-standing goal. Much effort has focused on developing biological and chemical methods to achieve this goal, including the production of resistant crop plants, biocontrol of pests using entomopathogenic microorganisms, and the screening of biologically synthesized insecticidal compounds. Despite much interesting work, there has been little practical progress because the protective effects are easily destroyed, and because of problems with agent preparation, limited targets for application, and high costs. The principal problems facing practical implementation are the application of individual methods for pest control at scales larger than the test experiments, and variable environmental conditions. These trials have taught us that the aforementioned techniques were, in essence, supplementary measures for a limited range of targets under particular conditions. Applied electrostatic engineering has served as the academic and technical basis for creating high energy electric fields and electric field-based devices to manage insects. The ways in which electrostatic principles have been applied are diverse: capturing insects by exploiting the attractive force generated in a static electric field; repelling insects according to their aversion to the electric field; and instantaneously pulverizing insects through exposure of insect-mediated arc discharge in the high voltage electric field. Trailblazing works that are brought together in this Special Issue shall propose a new step for pest control.

Prof. Dr. Hideyoshi Toyoda
Guest Editor

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Keywords

greenhouse pest control
postharvest pest control
insect trapping
insect pulverization
insect repellence
pest-free space generation
insect behavior monitoring
insect conductivity analysis

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

5 pages, 307 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Insect Physical Control: Electric Field-Based Pest Management Approach

by Hideyoshi Toyoda

Insects 2020, 11(8), 480; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11080480 - 29 Jul 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3367

Abstract

The Special Issue ‘Insect physical control: electric field-based pest management approach’ was launched to showcase valuable new research on pest control using applied electrostatic engineering. Some phenomena generated in static and dynamic electric fields can be used to build new devices to capture or kill target insects using an attractive force or a force striking insects entering an electric field. This research field is new, and there are few researchers currently working within it. Consequently, this editorial introduces the history and general principles of electric field generation. I then discuss future directions for this field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Physical Control: Electric Field-Based Pest Management Approach)

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Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

14 pages, 2314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physical Methods for Electrical Trap-and-Kill Fly Traps Using Electrified Insulated Conductors

by Yoshinori Matsuda, Teruo Nonomura and Hideyoshi Toyoda

Insects 2022, 13(3), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13030253 - 3 Mar 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3763

Abstract

In the present study, we analyzed negative electricity released from insects captured by an electric field (EF)-producing apparatus. Adult houseflies (Musca domestica) were used as the model insect. The EF producer consisted of a negatively charged polyvinyl chloride membrane-insulated iron plate (N-PIP) and a non-insulated grounded iron plate (GIP) paralleled with the N-PIP. An EF was formed in the space between the plates. A housefly placed on the GIP was physically attracted to the N-PIP, and electricity released from the fly was detected as a specific transient electric current at the time of attraction and during subsequent confinement of the fly to the N-PIP. The magnitude of the insect-derived electric current became larger as the voltage applied to the N-PIP increased. We determined the total amount of electric current and confinement time within the apparatus necessary to kill all captured flies. These results demonstrate the insecticidal function and insect-capturing ability of the EF-producing apparatus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Physical Control: Electric Field-Based Pest Management Approach)

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16 pages, 3334 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing a Phototactic Electrostatic Insect Trap Targeting Whiteflies, Leafminers, and Thrips in Greenhouses

by Yoshihiro Takikawa, Teruo Nonomura, Takahiro Sonoda and Yoshinori Matsuda

Insects 2021, 12(11), 960; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12110960 - 21 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2629

Abstract

Our aim was to develop an electrostatic apparatus to lure and capture silverleaf whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), vegetable leafminers (Liriomyza sativae), and western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) that invade tomato greenhouses. A double-charged dipolar electric field producer (DD-EFP) was constructed by filling water in two identical transparent soft polyvinyl chloride tubes arrayed in parallel with fixed separation, and then, inserting the probes of grounded negative and positive voltage generators into the water of the two tubes to generate negatively and positively charged waters, respectively. These charged waters electrified the outer surfaces of the opposite tubes via dielectric polarization. An electric field formed between the oppositely charged tubes. To lure these phototactic insects, the water was colored yellow using watercolor paste, then introduced into the transparent insulator tubes to construct the yellow-colored DD-EFP. This apparatus lured insects in a manner similar to commercially available yellow sticky traps. The yellow-colored DD-EFP was easily placed as a movable upright screen along the plants, such that invading pests were preferentially attracted to the trap before reaching the plants. Furthermore, pests settling on the plants were attracted to the apparatus, which used a plant-tapping method to drive them off the plants. Our study provided an experimental basis for developing an electrostatic device to attract and capture insects that enter greenhouses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Physical Control: Electric Field-Based Pest Management Approach)

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9 pages, 1118 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Turkestan Cockroaches Avoid Entering a Static Electric Field upon Perceiving an Attractive Force Applied to Antennae Inserted into the Field

by Yoshinori Matsuda, Teruo Nonomura and Hideyoshi Toyoda

Insects 2021, 12(7), 621; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12070621 - 8 Jul 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2032

Abstract

This study analysed the mechanism of avoidance behaviour by adult Turkestan cockroaches (Shelfordella lateralis Walker) in response to a static electric field (S-EF) formed in the space between a negatively charged polyvinyl chloride-insulated iron plate (N-PIP) and a grounded metal net (G-MN). The negative surface charge supplied to the iron plate by a voltage generator caused the G-MN to polarise positively via electrostatic induction. In the S-EF, the negative charge of the N-PIP created a repulsive force that pushed free electrons in the field toward the ground via the G-MN. When insects released in the space surrounded by the S-EF inserted their antennae into the S-EF, they pulled them back reflexively and moved backward. The analysis indicated that an electric current flowed transiently toward the ground when an insect inserted its antennae into the S-EF. The insect became positively charged via this discharge and was attracted to the opposite pole (N-PIP). In response to this attractive force, the insect pulled its antennae back quickly. The positive electrification caused by the removal of free electrons from the antenna tip triggered the avoidance behaviour. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Physical Control: Electric Field-Based Pest Management Approach)

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11 pages, 3128 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Selective Arcing Electrostatically Eradicates Rice Weevils in Rice Grains

by Koji Kakutani, Yoshihiro Takikawa and Yoshinori Matsuda

Insects 2021, 12(6), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12060522 - 4 Jun 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3226

Abstract

We developed an arc discharge exposer (ADE) that kills rice weevils nesting in dried rice. The ADE features multiple identical metal plates, half of these are linked to a voltage generator and the others are grounded. The plates were arrayed in parallel and an electric field formed between them. Any insect entering the field was arced from the negatively charged plate and killed. The ADE was placed on a vessel containing pest-infested rice grains; the insects were lured out of the grains by mechanically vibrating the vessel. When rice grains move, insects tend to climb upward, thus, the weevils were effectively removed. Our electrostatic apparatus is easy to construct and could be used to control pests in stored rice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Physical Control: Electric Field-Based Pest Management Approach)

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14 pages, 1921 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toxicity of Terahertz-Based Functional Mineral Water (Plant-Derived) to Immature Stages of Mosquito Vectors

by Tai-Chih Kuo, Chien-Chung Lin, Ching-Chu Tsai, Shiang-Jiuun Chen, Tso-Min Hung, Che-Chu Hsieh, Ja-Yu Lu and Rong-Nan Huang

Insects 2021, 12(3), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12030211 - 2 Mar 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2385

Abstract

Functional mineral water and related products are popular in some Asian countries as health drinks and, recently, have been employed in agricultural crop production as well as pest control. This study aimed to investigate the survival of mosquito vectors exposed to plant-derived functional mineral water produced by terahertz technology. The terahertz-based functional mineral water used in the current study not only decreased the hatching of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) larvae but also showed concentration-dependent toxicity to the 3rd instar larvae and pupae of the three mosquito species tested. Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Cx. quinquefasciatus pupae were more susceptible to terahertz-based functional mineral water than the larval stage, as indicated by their lower LC₅₀. Lower concentrations (<100 ppm) of terahertz-based functional mineral water were not lethal to the pupae; however, these low concentrations still resulted in a reduced adult emergence. Although terahertz-based functional mineral water did not significantly affect Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) hatching, it could potentially be used for vector control at the larvae and pupae stages. The larvicidal and pupicidal activity of diluted terahertz-based functional mineral water gradually diminished after 24 h, indicating that it is a biodegradable and eco-friendly bioinsecticide. However, as the terahertz-based functional mineral water is also toxic to larvivorous predatory-copepods, it should not be utilized in aquatic environments where predatory-based mosquito control programs are employed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Physical Control: Electric Field-Based Pest Management Approach)

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11 pages, 1135 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Soil Surface-Trapping of Tomato Leaf-Miner Flies Emerging from Underground Pupae with a Simple Electrostatic Cover of Seedbeds in a Greenhouse

by Teruo Nonomura and Hideyoshi Toyoda

Insects 2020, 11(12), 878; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11120878 - 11 Dec 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2396

Abstract

In the present study, an electrostatic apparatus for trapping adult tomato leaf miner flies (Liriomyza sativae) emerging from underground pupae at the surface of a seedbed in an organic greenhouse was developed. The apparatus consisted of insulated iron rods arranged in parallel at set intervals and linked to a voltage generator, which supplied a negative charge to the rods, as well as non-insulated grounded iron rods with the same configuration. The two layers of insulated and non-insulated iron rods were arrayed in parallel to form a static electric field between the layers. The electric field created a strong attractive force capable of capturing flies that entered the field. In a greenhouse assay, the apparatus was placed horizontally above a seedbed in a greenhouse and surveyed for its ability to capture adult flies emerging from pupae that were introduced onto the seedbed beneath the apparatus. The results revealed that the apparatus effectively trapped all adult flies that emerged from the pupae and that it functioned stably while continuously operated during the entire period of the experiment. Thus, our novel apparatus is a promising tool for the physical control of adult tomato leaf miners in the insecticide-independent cultivation of greenhouse tomatoes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Physical Control: Electric Field-Based Pest Management Approach)

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15 pages, 1664 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Electric Discharge for Simultaneous Control of Weeds and Houseflies Emerging from Soil

by Yoshinori Matsuda, Kunihiko Shimizu, Takahiro Sonoda and Yoshihiro Takikawa

Insects 2020, 11(12), 861; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11120861 - 3 Dec 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3788

Abstract

An electrostatic apparatus was developed to control weeds and houseflies emerging from ground soil in a greenhouse simultaneously. Identical iron plates were placed in parallel at a defined interval and fixed in an iron frame. Two sets of fixed iron plates were used, one for weed control and one for fly control. For weed control, all of the iron plates were negatively charged, and negative charges accumulated on the plates were released to weed shoots through arc discharge. Houseflies were introduced into the space between the negatively charged and grounded plates, then subjected to arc discharge from the charged plates. Both plant shoots and adult houseflies are electrically conductive; thus, they were killed by discharge-exposure in the electric field between the charged iron plate and the ground soil, and between the charged and grounded plates, respectively. In practical use, these two devices were assembled as a two-level apparatus for simultaneous control of both targets. Several apparatuses were linked together, which increased the total electricity charge on the plates and produced a stronger discharge force sufficient to kill all targets. Thus, this study provides an electrostatics-based pest-control method for pesticide-independent greenhouse farming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Physical Control: Electric Field-Based Pest Management Approach)

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12 pages, 919 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Body Water-Mediated Conductivity Actualizes the Insect-Control Functions of Electric Fields in Houseflies

by Yoshihiro Takikawa, Takeshi Takami and Koji Kakutani

Insects 2020, 11(9), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11090561 - 23 Aug 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3029

Abstract

In the present study, the relationship between body water loss and conductivity was examined in adult houseflies (Musca domestica). The events an insect experiences in an electric field are caused by the conductive nature of the insect body (i.e., movement of electricity within or its release from the insect). After houseflies were dehydrated, rehydrated, refrigerated, and frozen and thawed, they were placed in static and dynamic electric fields. Untreated houseflies were deprived of their free electrons to become positively charged and then attracted to the insulated negative pole in the static electric field and were exposed to corona and arc discharge from non-insulated negative pole in the dynamic electric field. There was no current in the bodies of dehydrated and frozen flies; hence, there was no attractive force or discharge exposure. In the remaining insects, the results were identical to those in the untreated control insects. These results indicated that the reduction of body water conductivity inhibited the release of electricity from the body in the static electric field and the discharge-mediated current flow through the body in the dynamic electric field. The insect was affected by the electric fields because of its conductivity mediated by body water. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Physical Control: Electric Field-Based Pest Management Approach)

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Review

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14 pages, 2410 KiB

Open AccessReview

High Voltage Electric Fields Have Potential to Create New Physical Pest Control Systems

by Shin-ichi Kusakari, Kiyotsugu Okada, Manabu Shibao and Hideyoshi Toyoda

Insects 2020, 11(7), 447; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11070447 - 15 Jul 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 11626

Abstract

An electric field is the space surrounding an electric charge, within which it is capable of exerting a perceptible force on another electric charge. Especially under high voltage, electric fields induce various electrostatic phenomena, some of which could be utilized to provide remarkable pest control measures. The main focus of the present study was to introduce an attractive force generated by a surface charge on an insulated electrified conductor, which was successfully used to construct an electric field screen that prevented airborne nuisances (spores, flying insects, pollen, and fine smoke) from entering the interiors of various facilities. Another focus was the disinclination of insects to enter the electric field, thus, giving the electric field screen the ability to repel insects. Charges accumulated on the surfaces of non-insulated conductors are mobile through discharge, based on their potential difference. Such arc discharge was strong enough to destroy insects that were exposed to it. Some precedent illustrative examples are cited to explain the principles of attraction, dielectrophoretic movement of spores, and discharge-mediated positive electrification of insects, and to discuss how electric fields are generated and used in electric field-based pest control strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Physical Control: Electric Field-Based Pest Management Approach)

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