UVB+A reduces the need for pesticides. 285 nm UVB and 385 nm UVA have an adverse effect on insects. With the exposure time required to effectively trigger the UVR8 pathway responsible for improved chemical performance, Deep UV creates an environment that is inhospitable for insects. Lethal effects of UVB have been reported for aphids and spider mites (Ref. 9) UVB irradiation strongly decreases survivorship and egg production.  

Insects eat less when they are exposed to UVB and UVA radiation, causing less crop damage. (Ref. 9)

The lethal effects of UV radiation on insects are limited to direct exposure from UV light.  By using multiple channels and split wavelengths (285 nm / 385 nm), the UV effect can be had for up to 20 hours crossing the visible cycle and night cycles.

This significantly limits the available habitat and resources for insects and increases the probability of interspecific interactions, such as competition and predation. (Ref. 11)

UV  is commonly used to quarantine labs to keep potentially dangerous insects from escaping into the environment.

Not only does 285 nm UVB suppress insects directly, but it produces a double-pronged effect by triggering the UVR8 chemical pathway that can produce more naturally occurring compounds that trap and/or repel pests.

The effects of UV vary between insect species. This will be the subject of our research project with Ryerson University.

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References

9. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep07383#ref14

10. Ohtsuka, K. & Osakabe, M. Deleterious effects of UV-B radiation on herbivorous spider mites: They can avoid it by remaining on lower leaf surfaces. Environ. Entomol. 38, 920–929 (2009). 

11. Bothwell et al. 1994, McCloud and Berenbaum 1999.