Plasma-based organism evaluation equipment using atmospheric-pressure plasma jets: Efficacy for controlling insect pests

• Published in: Journal of Asia-Pacific entomology Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 868 - 873
• Main Authors: Kwon, Deok Ho, Kim, Hyun-Seung, Park, Mi-Ri
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2019; 한국응용곤충학회
• Subjects: acute exposure; adverse effects; Aphis gossypii; atmospheric pressure; Bemisia tabaci; chronic exposure; control methods; Helicoverpa armigera; Insect pests; insecticidal properties; mortality; pesticides; Plasma; reactive oxygen species; Reactive oxygen species, insecticidal efficacy; temperature; Tetranychus kanzawai; Thrips palmi; 농수해양학; Plasma; Reactive oxygen species, insecticidal efficacy; Insect pests
• ISSN: 1226-8615; 1876-7990
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2019.06.011

Alternative insect pest control methods are necessary for efficient pest management with reduced dependency on pesticides. Here, we report the biological responses of several insect species to, and the insecticidal efficacy of, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated using atmospheric-pressure plasma jets. Plasma-based organism evaluation equipment (PBOEE) consisting of a plasma-generating acrylic chamber, plasma-maintaining acrylic chamber, and plasma efficacy evaluation container was developed. The PBOEE system enabled determination of the insecticidal efficacy of ROS free from the adverse effects of high temperature; moreover, four different exposures could be achieved within one run. The biological responses of five major insect pests (Aphis gossypii, Bemisia tabaci, Helicoverpa armigera, Tetranychus kanzawai, and Thrips palmi) were assessed, with a focus on knockdown time, recovery time, and median lethal time (LT50). With short-term exposure (< 3 min), B. tabaci showed the fastest knockdown time (38.4 ± 2.7 s) and the slowest recovery time (699 ± 133 s), and no mortality was noted in any of the five species. On the other hand, with long-term exposure (< 21 min), insecticidal efficacy was observed in B. tabaci and T. palmi, which showed LT50 values of 6.3 and 9.6 min, respectively. The PBOEE system can be used to determine the optimal exposure time for evaluating the insecticidal efficacy of plasma against insect pests, and plasma can be used for future control of some insect pests. [Display omitted] •PBOEE system was developed for the estimation of plasma efficacy on insect.•Long-term exposure of plasma revealed insecticidal efficacy in some species.•Plasma might be replaced as alternative control agent of synthetic pesticides.