Evaluating the phototactic behavior responses of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, to some different wavelength LED lights in laboratory and field

[Display omitted] •The present study aimed to evaluate the phototactic response to different wavelength LED lights to determine the preference wavelength which Plutella xylostella moths are most sensitive.•UV (380 nm) LED light among several wavelength LED lights results in the highest phototactic behavior response of P. xylostella moths.•The attraction rate of the moths under a photon flux density from 1.5 µmol m−2 s−1 to 380 nm LED light is the highest.•The research allows the use of the UV LED light trap to monitor or control P. xylostella moths. Light traps equipped with light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been applied to manage some phototactic insect pests. The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, is a cosmopolitan insect pest to be seriously harmful to many cruciferous plants. The present research focused on evaluating the phototactic behavior responses of the moths to several wavelengths and photon flux densities of LED lights under laboratory and field conditions. The results from the laboratory showed that the highest phototactic behavior responses of P. xylostella moths were recorded for UV (380 nm) LED light under 1.5 µmol m−2 s−1 and 2.5 µmol m−2 s−1. The moths were more attracted to light traps equipped with 4 LEDs and 6 LEDs of 380 nm, respectively, between 20:00 and 22:00 than the other groups and night times in the field. The finding from the field was consistent with the results from the laboratory. We found that the 380 nm LED light results in the strongest attraction rate of the moths by 92.4 % and the moths caught in light trap with the UV LEDs was 1.62 times more than that with a black light. These data clearly demonstrate that P. xylostella moths have a high sensitivity to 380 nm, therefore, a 380 nm LED light trap could be useful for monitoring and controlling the moths.