Study suggests red netting is best at protecting crops from insects

https://newatlas.com/ ^ | February 14, 2024 | Ben Coxworth

[Jonty30]

When it comes to protecting crops via insect-blocking netting, you may think that the size of the holes in that netting is the most important factor. According to new research, however, the color of red netting makes an even bigger difference in effectiveness.

Ordinarily, agricultural netting is either black or white, or sometimes blue or green. Although red netting generally isn't used, a 2015 study showed that when crops were irradiated with red light, pest insects known as onion thrips (Thrips tabaci) tended to stay away from the plants.

With that finding in mind, Prof. Masami Shimoda and colleagues at The University of Tokyo wondered if red-colored netting might have a similar effect. In order to find out, they experimented with nets of three different red-containing color combinations: red-white, red-black and red-red. Each color combo was in turn tried in 2-, 1- and 0.8-mm mesh-gap sizes.

All of these nets – along with traditional black, white and black-white nets of the same mesh sizes – were hung over Kujo leek (aka Welsh onion) crops to protect them from onion thrips. Not only do the insects eat the plants, they can also infect them with harmful viruses.

[Jonty30]

For those with mosquitos, could be worth it to try for your deck or canopy.

[Libloather]

Interesting. Later reading.