Student Research Reports

View Research Report

This project, Development of plant pots to mitigate mosquito populations, aims to develop a plant pot capable of trapping mosquitoes and reducing water usage while studying the effect of different light colors on mosquito attraction. The team designed the mosquito-trapping plant pot based on mosquito oviposition behavior, where mosquitoes typically lay eggs on water surfaces. The pot was designed with a water reservoir at the bottom and a mosquito trap on the side, consisting of rectangular slots lined with black felt fabric, mimicking the damp black surfaces that mosquitoes are naturally attracted to. Once mosquitoes enter, they cannot escape. When mosquitoes lay eggs on the water surface, the larvae develop as usual, but adult mosquitoes cannot exit the trap. Additionally, a sturdy cotton rope was placed between the soil and the water reservoir, allowing water absorption to sustain plant growth in drought or high-temperature conditions. To evaluate the effect of light color on mosquito attraction, three mosquito-trapping plant pots illuminated with different light colors, including blue, purple, and green, were placed in the same area. Humidity was measured daily over two weeks, and the number of mosquitoes in each pot was recorded and monitored through different life cycle stages. Among the three versions tested, Version 2 showed the highest number of pupae and adult mosquitoes, indicating superior trapping efficiency. Both tested versions of the mosquito-trapping plant pot were also designed to enhance soil moisture using cotton rope. However, the soil moisture levels did not significantly differ at the 0.05 significance level. Regarding the effectiveness of different light colors in attracting mosquitoes in Version 2, the results showed a significant difference at the 0.05 level, with purple light being the most attractive to mosquitoes. This innovation is expected to contribute to mosquito population control while promoting plant growth, providing useful data for developing control measures and monitoring strategies in areas at risk of mosquito-borne diseases.