Seeing green: phototactic responses for management of Rove beetle Paederus fuscipes

Abstract

Paederus fuscipes Curtis (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) is a medical pest due to its attraction to bright light sources from human residential premises. This study aims to investigate the phototactic response on light wavelengths and colour preferences by P. fuscipes. Paedarus fuscipes showed positive responses to all types of light sources (fluorescent, LED, and incandescent) presented in the light and dark choice test, which indicates their attractiveness towards light presented in human habitation. However, most beetles showed a higher preference towards fluorescent and cool white LED. Paedarus fuscipes showed consistent preferences for white, blue and green, with the exception of red. Remarkably, green light elicited the strongest positive phototactic response compared to other colours. Overall, our results showed that P. fuscipes beetles prefer the range of 550 nm wavelength. Warm light colours such as yellow (warm white LED) with red illumination can be recommended to avoid infestation and in innovative management of Paedarus.