Eco-friendly pest management withICAR’s insect light traps

Abstract

Insect light traps are an important eco-friendly tool for monitoring and managing insect-pests in agricultural ecosystems. They attract and capture nocturnal insects using specific light wavelengths, enabling early detection of pest outbreaks and facilitating timely management interventions. Their adoption reduces dependence on chemical pesticides, thereby minimising environmental contamination, conserving beneficial organisms, and maintaining ecological balance. In India, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has played a pivotal role in developing, standardising, and promoting light trap technologies through its institutes and All India Coordinated Research Projects on Insect-Pest Management. ICAR has supported largescale pest surveillance networks, farmer advisories, and integration of light traps into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes. This article discusses the application and advantages of different light traps built by various institutes for pest forecasting, research, and climate-resilient agriculture. Overall, insect light traps represent a sustainable, cost-effective, and ICAR-supported innovation for environmentally responsible pest management and improved crop productivity.