TL;DR:
- Tyndall National Institute and Teagasc are working on the HALY.ID project to monitor and manage the population of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, in Europe.
- Halyomorpha halys, native to East Asia, has been present in Europe since 2018 and can cause damage to tree fruit, vegetable, and arable crops, as well as be a nuisance to homeowners.
- The traditional method of manual monitoring using pheromone-baited sticky traps is labor-intensive and requires a high level of entomological expertise.
- The HALY.ID project uses drone technology, image analysis, and Artificial Intelligence to automate the monitoring process.
- The system uses an algorithm to identify regions where the bug is suspected to be present, and a low-power Microcontroller Unit (MCU) device powered by Artificial Intelligence performs all data processing.
- The HALY.ID project brings together experts from Ireland, Imec, Italian Universities, and the Technical University of Braunschweig in Germany to create a smart sensing system.
- The automated insect monitoring tool was deployed in an Italian orchard in February 2023 and has the potential to revolutionize the monitoring and management of insect pests in agriculture, providing significant benefits for farmers and the environment.
Main AI News:
Tyndall National Institute and Teagasc have joined forces to tackle the growing problem of the invasive brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys. The HALY.ID project, a European research initiative, is focused on developing a sustainable method for monitoring and managing the population of this destructive insect species.
Halyomorpha halys, native to East Asia, has been spotted in Europe since 2018, with sporadic sightings in the UK. This is a cause for concern as the bug has the potential to cause severe damage to tree fruit crops, as well as some vegetable and arable crops, due to its feeding habits that result in malformed produce. Furthermore, the bug can also be a nuisance to homeowners as it migrates into dwellings to hibernate, releasing a foul odor.
The arrival of this species in Europe has resulted in significant economic losses, with Italy being the first country to experience the impact in 2012. As the bug continues to spread northward, the need for efficient insect monitoring has become increasingly important in minimizing crop damage.
Traditionally, farmers have relied on manual monitoring methods, such as pheromone-baited sticky traps, which require a significant amount of time and labor, as well as a high level of entomological expertise. The HALY.ID project is addressing this challenge by incorporating cutting-edge technology, including drone technology and Artificial Intelligence, to automate the monitoring process.
The automated method involves the use of drones to capture images, which are then analyzed using image analysis algorithms and a low-cost, low-power Microcontroller Unit (MCU) device. The MCU device is powered by Artificial Intelligence and performs all data processing, providing farmers with real-time, reliable data on the population of the brown marmorated stink bug.
The HALY.ID project has developed a cutting-edge automated insect monitoring system that utilizes drone technology, image analysis, and Artificial Intelligence. The system uses an algorithm to identify regions where the brown marmorated stink bug is suspected to be present and then runs a lightweight Deep Learning algorithm for classification.
The system is designed as a low-power battery device that can be used during growing seasons, with images taken at night to control light intensity and minimize other sources of illumination. The device is compact, making it easy to use, and it can be deployed in orchards and farms across Europe.
Brendan O’Flynn, Head of Group at Tyndall, emphasizes the importance of food security as the world’s population grows and is proud to collaborate with international partners in developing this innovative solution. The project has brought together experts in agriculture from Teagasc in Ireland, Imec, the Italian Universities in Perugia and Modena, and the Technical University of Braunschweig in Germany to create a smart sensing system that will ensure the continued production of high-quality food products in European orchards.
Michael Gaffney, Entomologist and Senior Research Officer at Teagasc, recognize the critical role that monitoring plays in the successful implementation of Integrated Pest Management strategies in commercial horticulture. He believes that automating the detection of harmful pests and reducing the time and labor required will help growers detect the pest early in the spring when pest numbers are low, and crop protection interventions are most effective.
The newly developed automated insect monitoring tool was deployed in an Italian orchard in February 2023, and the HALY.ID project is poised to bring about a new era in the monitoring and management of insect pests in agriculture, with significant benefits for farmers and the environment.
Conlcusion:
The HALY.ID project represents a major step forward in the fight against invasive insects in agriculture. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, including drone technology and Artificial Intelligence, Tyndall National Institute and Teagasc are providing farmers with a more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective solution for monitoring and managing the population of the brown marmorated stink bug.
With the deployment of the automated insect monitoring tool in an Italian orchard in February 2023, the HALY.ID project is poised to revolutionize the market for insect monitoring and management in agriculture, providing significant benefits for farmers and the environment.
The project’s collaboration with international experts in agriculture further strengthens its impact and demonstrates the commitment of the partners to ensuring food security and the continued production of high-quality food products in European orchards.
