SOLAR-POWERED UV-LIGHT INSECT KILLER: INTEGRATING SPECTRAL SENSITIVITY FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL PEST MANAGEMENT

Light-based pest control devices have emerged as promising tools in sustainable agriculture due to their ability to exploit insect phototaxis and reduce dependence on chemical pesticides. However, their widespread adoption, especially in rural farming systems, is often limited by short operational duration caused by battery constraints. This limitation directly impacts pest capture efficiency during critical nocturnal periods, particularly in crops such as rice, which are highly vulnerable to nighttime pest activity. Previous studies have demonstrated that matching light wavelengths to insect visual sensitivity, especially in the UV-blue range (300-420 nm), significantly improves trap performance. Yet, empirical evaluations linking battery discharge patterns with spectral optimization and real-world capture rates remain scarce. This study bridges that gap by conducting three field trials of a 12V photo switch-integrated UV-light insect killer in rice farm conditions. Battery discharge profiles were measured alongside pest mortality counts at 30-minute intervals, with final trials incorporating wavelength optimization based on known insect photoreceptor sensitivity. Results reveal that battery stability up to two hours sustains high capture rates, while spectral tuning increased pest catches by over 40%. The objective of this work is to provide design and operational insights for developing more efficient, battery-optimized, and wavelength-targeted light traps that enhance pest control outcomes while supporting sustainable agriculture. Keywords: electroluminescent trapping; field deployment; integrated pest control; low-voltage systems; pest mortality rate; rural technology adoption.