Received: 19 January 2025 / Accepted: 02 July 2025 / Published Online: 17 July 2025
Abstract
The high abundance and severity of brown planthopper or BPH (Nilaparvata lugens Stal) attacks have resulted in losses and crop failures worldwide, including in Indonesia. Control using ultrasonic waves has the potency to inhibit BPH attacks and is safe for the environment. This study examined the effect of ultrasonic wave frequency exposed to BPH for 24 hours. The study used a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of seven treatments and five replications. The treatments were different ultrasonic wave frequencies (0, 20 kHz, 25 kHz, 30 kHz, 35 kHz, 40 kHz, 45 kHz). The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and LSD at a significant level of 5%. A T-test was conducted to know the effect of treatment on males and females of BPH. A regression test determined the relationship between treatment and observation variables. The results showed that exposure to BPH using ultrasonic waves with different frequencies significantly affected the activity, mortality, longevity, number of eggs laid, and the percentage and intensity of BPH attacks. BPH behaves away from the emitter and clusters and moves passively. The higher the frequency of ultrasonic waves, the higher the adult mortality. Males were more affected by exposure than females. Conversely, high ultrasonic wave frequencies can significantly shorten adult longevity, reduce the number of eggs hatched, and reduce BPH’s attack percentage and intensity. Ultrasonic waves at 30-45 kHz were the best frequency for suppressing the population and attack level of BPH.
