Evaluation of an Insect Collecting System and an Ultra-Low-Volume Spray System on a Remotely Piloted Vehicle1

Abstract

Systems on a remotely piloted vehicle for collecting insects flying above peach and pecan trees and for applying ultra-low-volume (ULV) sprays of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner for control of walnut caterpiller, Datana integerrima Grote & Robinson, and fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury), on pecan trees were evaluated. The insect collecting system was composed of two nets (19 cm diam) that were remotely opened and closed during collecting operations. Insect collections were made at average elevations of 8 and 21 m above peach and 28 and 54 m above pecan trees. On three dates during May, a total of 234 and 119 specimens from six insect orders was collected above peach and pecan trees, respectively. The most numerous families were from the orders Diptera and Hymenoptera. The ULV spray system was composed of four spray nozzles (Micron) mounted on the lower wing. Two ULV applications of B. thuringiensis sprays applied by the RPV against walnut caterpillar and fall webworm colonies on pecans provided 93% control of walnut caterpillars at 17 days and 80% control of fall webworms at 23 days. The first spray was applied at the rate of 4.8 liters/ha and the second at 9.5 liters/ha.