Controlling flying pests represents a major challenge for agriculture, horticulture, and public health in Romania and Europe, particularly in the context of reducing the use of chemical insecticides. This study analyzes the role of visual orientation mechanisms in flying insects - phototaxis, chromotaxis, and dorsal light response (DLR) - as a biological basis for the development of alternative non-chemical control methods. The paper integrates data from the literature on the main nocturnal and diurnal flying pests relevant to agroecosystems in Romania and Europe, classifying them according to their period of activity, flight behavior, host plants, and visual preferences. In addition, an experimental field study was conducted in southeastern Romania using multispectral light sources (UV, blue, green, and yellow) projected onto reflective white surfaces to assess insect attraction behavior under real conditions. The results confirm the predominant attraction of nocturnal insects to ultraviolet and blue radiation, associated with phototaxis and dorsal light response, as well as the role of chromotaxis toward yellow and green in diurnal insects. The study highlights the potential of chromatic light traps as effective and sustainable tools for integrated pest management and for reducing dependence on chemical insecticides.
MOCANU et al. (Thu,) studied this question.