LED bulbs are at the edge of the current lighting technology presenting high energy efficiency and long durability. Comparing LED bulbs to mercury or fluorescent bulbs may be an important technological breakthrough in moth sampling as it would reduce energy expenditure enabling better sampling schemes.
Performance, cost, durability and enhanced life span are causing UV LEDs to be integrated into a large number of applications. UV LEDs are also much smaller in size and more durable than glass bulbs. UV LEDs are more resistant to vibration and impact, resulting in less product breakage and reduced waste and maintenance expense (Halliday 2010).
Technical enhancements to UV LED technology added to cost reduction and an increased industry interest are setting a favourable stage to move forward in the application of LEDs to moth monitoring.
http://www.iee.unibe.ch/cb/unibe/philnat/biology/zoologie/cb/content/e7117/e7118/e8764/e242959/vanLangevelde_BioCon2011.pdf
See this study (English abtract!):
http://www.hellenot.org/fileadmin/user_upload/PDF/Projekte/10_EndberichtWissJahrbuch.pdf
In short, according to this study LED bulbs are not effective in attracting moths, and this is the experience of many collectors too. I guess the problem is that the light spectrum in LEDs is very (and too) narrow.
From an european project, we understand that the spectrum is very important, so the first reference was submitted. We can , using led, make the sepctrum needed for moths. Please contact me if you are interested to make this research and use EU project results
Jean-Marc, do you mean that one can make an LED that produces the right spectrum for moths? What is the best light spectrum to attract macromoths?
Thanks for the enlightening answers!
What I mean, If you know the spectrum which attract the moths (and there are studies on this both metabolic as well as comportemental) we can try to recreate this spectrum by using LED's.
It is certainly possible to use LEDS omitting several different wavelengths and actually that's what we have done with the LED panels that we use for photographing insects. You can create a spectrum that is not far from the sun's spectrum visible to the human eye. I am not a phycicist but I doubt that LEDs can produce ultraviolet wavelengths that are the most important for moths. Even if they can, they would require a lot of energy (because ultraviolet light is energy-rich), making using LEDs for that purpose pointless. I think LEDs are energy-effective just because they are not wasting energy to a broad spectrum. I am not sure but I think that LEDs cannot provide an answer to the issue raised by Onildo. But I am happy if someone can indicate I am wrong.
For spectral sensitivities of insects, start here:
Briscoe, A. D., and L. Chittka. 2001. The evolution of color vision in insects. Annual Review of Entomology 46:471–510.
There are definitely UV LEDs:
http://www.digikey.com/Web%20Export/Supplier%20Content/Lumex_67/PDF/Lumex_UV_LEDs_TechNotes.pdf
http://www.phoseon.com/technology/led-uv-wavelength.htm
http://www.philipslumileds.com/products/luxeon-uv
https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8662
Marko, I am not a physicist either, but I believe LEDs are energy efficient because they do not waste energy producing heat. The same applies to fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent UV bulbs have been widely used to attract moths, but white mercury bulbs still perform better. UV+white LED may be a good solution.
Onildo and others, I agree, perhaps it is indeed possible to make effective light systems based solely on LEDs. Hope so!
Dean, thanks for the references to UV LEDs. I have already included some of the information at the explanation of the question (above).
LED UV lights are definitely not so efficient for moths collection as superactinic TLD tubes. The problem is in a narrow spectrum of LED, which should be between 350-420 nm and in the light power of LED. Therefore, to be that efficient you will need the combination of at least two different LED spectra and the newest types of LED, with a few W load power. This UV LED are also expensive as they are produced in small series; at least for now.
An interesting paper was added at another discussion. It's related to insect attraction towards LED lights and its negative impact on ecosystem:
http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/14-0468.1
As a volunteer lepidoptera recorder in the UK, I have been experimenting with UV LED moth traps for nearly two years in gardens and nature reserves.
The most successful traps have been built using 0.75W "UV Purple" T10 wedge bulbs which are manufactured for the automotive industry. These are easily obtainable and are low cost. Initial comparative tests suggest they are about as effective as 8W actinic florescent tubes in a Heath Style Trap.
So to answer the original question: Yes UV LED's can be used to make traps for moth sampling and even 0.75W sources are useful. However, ad hoc observations suggest that higher powers are much less effective than one would expect, even giving zero counts in traps. This may account for some of the discrepancies in opinions about attractiveness of these sources.
For those interested in following another initiative that is developing a commercial LED lamp to attract moths, I recommend Gunnar Brehm's project: https://www.researchgate.net/project/A-new-LED-UV-lamp-to-attract-nocturnal-Lepidoptera
Anyone interested in this issue, please check:
Brehm G (2017) A new LED lamp for the collection of nocturnal Lepidoptera and a spectral comparison of light-trapping lamps. Nota lepidopterologica 40: 87–108.
DOI 10.3897/nl.40.11887
Link (open access):
http://nl.pensoft.net/articles.php?id=11887
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