МЕТОДИКИ РОЗРАХУНКІВ ТА ЕКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНИХ ДОСЛІДЖЕНЬ МЕХАНІЧНИХ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИК ТІЛ ЖИВИХ ЛИЧИНОК У ЗНИЩЕННІ ШКІДНИКІВ АКУСТИЧНИМ СПОСОБОМ

The paper focuses on the advancement of experimental and analytical methodologies for examining the mechanical properties of living larvae of Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Colo-rado potato beetle) to facilitate their eradication through acoustic resonance. The signifi-cance of this research is underscored by the necessity to substitute chemical pest control methods, which are detrimental to human health and the environment, with ecological acous-tic technologies. This research is conducted within the domains of applied mechanics and biomechanics, building upon prior investigations into the acoustic eradication of detrimental insects.The examination of contemporary scientific literature reveals that low-frequency acous-tic and vibrational phenomena exert both detrimental and beneficial effects on biological tis-sues. Research conducted by V. S. Didkovskyi, V. T. Hrynchenko, G. I. Sokol, and others vali-dates that resonance phenomena in biological structures can induce structural disruption when the external frequency aligns with the organism's natural frequency. The authors sug-gest using controlled acoustic waves to kill pest larvae by taking advantage of their biome-chanical resonance.To implement this concept, the authors devised a novel methodology for assessing the mechanical properties of living larvae, encompassing stiffness, mass, and Young’s modulus. The larvae were represented as cylindrical elastic entities with a uniform cross-section. A new measuring tool was created and patented (Patent of Ukraine No. 153662, 2023) for test-ing deformation in a controlled way with known loads. The setup has a micrometer, a ma-nometer, and a loading mechanism that can be changed to measure deformation in living bio-logical specimens very accurately. The experimental results indicated stiffness values between 0.3248 N/m and 1.1621 N/m, Young’s modulus ranging from 36.62 Pa to 79.07 Pa, and natural resonance frequen-cies from 5.23 Hz to 8.54 Hz. These results show that it is possible to get destructive reso-nance with acoustic emitters set to these frequencies.The developed methodologies and instrumentation establish a basis for the design of ef-fective acoustic devices for pest management. The use of these kinds of systems will make it possible to get rid of pests in agriculture in a way that is safe for the environment and doesn't use chemicals. This will greatly lower ecological risks and make sure that crops are protected in a way that is sustainable.