Arthropods and ultraviolet radiation: Survival, growth and development

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has positive and negative impacts on organisms and affects entire ecosystems. It is currently receiving attention because of the interactions of UVR with changes in climate that are likely to affect agriculture and food security. A review is provided on the effects of different types of UVR on the survival, development and reproduction of insects, collembolans and mites. The foci are on how UVR is used in pest control and how it affects arthropod coloration and distribution. Direct exposure to UV-A, UV-B and UV-C delays development and reduces survival and host-seeking ability of arthropods; immature stages are more sensitive than the adults. Increased exposure of crops to UVR has indirect effects on herbivory, and regions with high UVR levels may permit crop production in the absence of certain pest insect species. The Bunsen-Roscoe law of reciprocity was upheld for Diaphorina citri and Tetranychus urticae under the range of irradiances and durations of exposure used in two studies, which showed that, for a constant dose, the effects of low irradiances of long durations were equivalent to those of higher irradiances of shorter durations. DNA damage caused by UV-C and UV-B can be repaired by photoreactivation; both white light and UV-A are effective.