Comparative efficiency of 125 watt Mercury lamp and 15 watt UV (Black light) tube against the major insect-pest in paddy ecosystem

Abstract

This study examined the comparison between 125 watt mercury lamp and 15 watt UV tube used in light trap in the paddy ecosystem at Jabalpur (M.P) during kharif season 2017. Comparative studies of trap catches revealed that Ultraviolet 15 watt has given a higher response than MV 125 watt in following species - Nephotettix virescens, Leptocorisa acuta, Cnaphalocrocis medinalis and Mythimina separata While, Mercury vapour has given a higher response than Ultraviolet in following species – Parapoynx stagnalis and Melanitis leda ismene. In other words Ultraviolet light source can be successfully used for the operation of light trap as survey and pest control tool. Taking into consideration the total wattage of electricity consumption in 125 watt MV v/s 15 watt UV, the Ultraviolet 15 watt seems to a much cheaper & economic light source than MV. Besides the economy, the trapping efficiency of Ultraviolet light source is also at par with MV in majority of the species as stated above. In view of these observations, Ultraviolet light source (15 watt) seems to be a very good alternative source to MV 125 watt for operation of light traps for monitoring activity and pest control device.