Automated Surveillance of Lepidopteran Pests with Smart Optoelectronic Sensor Traps

Abstract

Several lepidopterans are pests in horticulture and pose biosecurity risks to trading countries worldwide. Efficient species-specific semiochemical lures are available for some of these pests, facilitating the implementation of surveillance programmes via trapping networks. These networks have a long history of success in detecting incursions of invasive species; however, their reliance on manual trap inspections makes these surveillance programmes expensive to run. Novel smart traps integrating sensor technology are being developed to detect insects automatically but are so far limited to expensive camera-based sensors or optoelectronic sensors for fast-moving insects. Here, we present the development of an optoelectronic sensor adapted to a delta-type trap to record the low wing-beat frequencies of Lepidoptera, and remotely send real-time digital detection via wireless communication. These new smart traps, combined with machine-learning algorithms, can further facilitate diagnostics via species identification through biometrics. Our laboratory and field trials have shown that moths flying in/out of the trap can be detected automatically before visual trap catch, thus improving early detection. The deployment of smart sensor traps for biosecurity will significantly reduce the cost of labour by directing trap visits to the locations of insect detection, thereby supporting a sustainable and low-carbon surveillance system.