Wireless Network Enabled Rice Black Bug Traps with Meteorological Wind Sensory System and Intelligent Trap Distance Detection using IoT Technology

Abstract

Rice black bug is one of the most difficult pest to manage. Massive infestations of the rice black bugs were recorded across the world including the Philippines, devastating thousands of hectares of rice field and agricultural lands. In a local communal rice field in the Philippines, farmers are using light trap in adjacent rice fields to control infestation as alternative to pesticides. According to the farmers, having multiple traps in the rice field can help in having better rice black bug catch index. Researches suggests that multiple light traps should have proper distance from each other to avoid light interference for proper bug attraction. However, it is known in the studies that increases in light-trap catches have also been shown to be associated with changes in wind direction especially for weak flier insects including Rice Black Bug This study aims to develop a system with two (2) wirelessly networked portable light traps that can be deployed in a vast rice field area. Light traps communicate with each other by identifying the proper distance, and constantly checks the wind direction that will allow farmers to relocate the traps in the rice field for better catch. A mobile application was developed to monitor distance, wind direction, and black bug catch that notifies farmers of suggestions to properly locate or place the light trap in the rice field. Actual tests were performed in a communal rice field during on-set and off-set of full moon cycle. Results show better patterns of rice black bug catch when traps were place in proper distance and facing the right wind direction.