Remote Insect Sensing Technology for Wireless Automated Pest Monitoring Networks

Under tremendous pressure from imports, particularly from New Zealand and China, experts believe the U.S. fruit industry must reduce its costs by as much as 30% over the next decade to stay competitive in the world market. The tree fruit industry-in fact all of American agriculture--is under global assault to remain economically competitive. Precision agriculture uses sensors, sophisticated mapping software, handheld GPS, and a variety of other tools to streamline the farming process and reduce costs. For the first time in the 10,000-year history of agriculture, farmers are beginning to treat individual square yards of soil as unique, to target individual plants, and to grow more productive and more environmentally friendly crops with digital technology. Networks of wireless sensors over various spatial scales will provide real-time monitoring of the activity of important pests and beneficial insects in many crops. Increased availability and timeliness of pest monitoring information is expected to lead to more confidence in pest control decision making and increased precision in timing of chemical or biological control applications, resulting in lower costs and risks associated with pest management.