TreeVibes: Modern Tools for Global Monitoring of Trees for Borers

Iraklis Rigakis,Ilyas Potamitis,Stavros Ntalampiras,Stelios M Potirakis,Nicolaos-Alexandros Tatlas

doi:10.3390/smartcities4010017

Abstract

Is there a wood-feeding insect inside a tree or wooden structure? We investigate several ways of how deep learning approaches can massively scan recordings of vibrations stemming from probed trees to infer their infestation state with wood-boring insects that feed and move inside wood. The recordings come from remotely controlled devices that sample the internal soundscape of trees on a 24/7 basis and wirelessly transmit brief recordings of the registered vibrations to a cloud server. We discuss the different sources of vibrations that can be picked up from trees in urban environments and how deep learning methods can focus on those originating from borers. Our goal is to match the problem of the accelerated—due to global trade and climate change— establishment of invasive xylophagus insects by increasing the capacity of inspection agencies. We aim at introducing permanent, cost-effective, automatic monitoring of trees based on deep learning techniques, in commodity entry points as well as in wild, urban and cultivated areas in order to effect large-scale, sustainable pest-risk analysis and management of wood boring insects such as those from the Cerambycidae family (longhorn beetles).

Highlights

The establishment of pest populations outside their native ranges is facilitated by climatic change and global trade [1]
Longhorn beetles are attacking at least 140 different tree species including citrus and stone fruits as well as forest woodland
We describe deep learning techniques as applied to the spectrogram of vibrations originating from piezoelectric probes inserted in tree trunks

Summary

Introduction

The establishment of pest populations outside their native ranges is facilitated by climatic change and global trade [1]. Larvae of non-native invasive species are accidentally transported in wood packaging of globally traded goods through ports, handling facilities or truck roads in places that are not biologically adapted to regulate their multiplication (i.e., low plant resistance and absence of natural enemies) [2]. Longhorn beetles are attacking at least 140 different tree species including citrus and stone fruits (peach, nectarines, plums, cherries and apricots) as well as forest woodland (infested trees become unsuitable for pulp and wood exploitation). Adults emerge from infested trees in spring or summer after penetrating the bark, causing an additional problem: the exiting tunnels become the entry points for several plant pathogens. The repeated tunneling from many borers, over many generations, gradually weakens the health of the tree, causes structural instability (wind breakage), drop of fruits and leads to the decline and eventual death of susceptible trees [3]

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion