Using electric fields to control insects: current applications and future directions
Author: Ndey Bassin Jobe1,2, Astha Chourasia2, Brian H Smith2, Elies Molins3, Andreas Rose4, Theodore P Pavlic2,5, Krijn P Paaijmans1,2,6
Affiliation:
1 The Center for Evolution & Medicine, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
2 School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
3 Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Campus UAB, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
4 Biogents AG, Regensburg, Germany.
5 School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
6 Simon A. Levin Mathematical, Computational and Modeling Sciences Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
Conference/Journal: J Insect Sci
Date published: 2024 Jan 1
Other:
Volume ID: 24 , Issue ID: 1 , Pages: 8 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1093/jisesa/ieae007. , Word Count: 190
Chemical-based interventions are mostly used to control insects that are harmful to human health and agriculture or that simply cause a nuisance. An overreliance on these insecticides however raises concerns for the environment, human health, and the development of resistance, not only in the target species. As such, there is a critical need for the development of novel nonchemical technologies to control insects. Electrocution traps using UV light as an attractant are one classical nonchemical approach to insect control but lack the specificity necessary to target only pest insects and to avoid harmless or beneficial species. Here we review the fundamental physics behind electric fields (EFs) and place them in context with electromagnetic fields more broadly. We then focus on how novel uses of strong EFs, some of which are being piloted in the field and laboratory, have the potential to repel, capture, or kill (electrocute) insects without the negative side effects of other classical approaches. As EF-insect science remains in its infancy, we provide recommendations for future areas of research in EF-insect science.
Keywords: electroreception; integrated pest management; magnetoreception; mechanoreception; physical pest control.
PMID: 38340047 PMCID: PMC10858648 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieae007
BACK
