Manipulation of chronobiology.

Abstract

This chapter proposes chronobiology considerations and the manipulation of arthropod biological clocks. The effects of light on circadian and photoperiodic responses are complex and can affect arthropod biology at many levels. The development of methods to alter daily and seasonal rhythms of arthropods requires careful evaluation of their effects on all the organisms in the agricultural environment. Implementation of these methods must take into consideration other environmental cues that can affect daily and seasonal rhythms, such as temperature. The goal is to disrupt the circadian clock of pests without negatively affecting the performance of crop plants and beneficial organisms. The advent of light-emitting diode lighting technology with easy control of the light spectrum and intensity should make optical manipulation methods more efficient and cost-effective. Optical manipulation of the biological clocks of arthropods is likely to be more feasible and effective in greenhouses and storage facilities. However, the increased use of agricultural drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) may allow their use for optical manipulation in field crops.