Insect monitoring in arable and open-field crops
Pest pressure, natural enemies and the effect of field margins continuously in view, without field rounds.
In arable farming, field vegetables and potato growing, demand is growing for integrated pest management and functional agrobiodiversity: field margins, flower strips and natural pest control. Whether those measures work only becomes clear by measuring. The DIOPSIS insect camera measures flying insects in the field continuously and at several places at once.
Measuring what a field margin does
Flower strips and field margins are created to stimulate natural enemies. With one camera in the margin and one in the field you see whether that succeeds, and when in the season. The image recognition model of Naturalis Biodiversity Center identifies and counts the insects per taxonomic group.
Following pest pressure through the season
The camera photographs day and night what lands on the illuminated screen. Increases in pest groups and the presence of natural enemies become visible in the web portal, so you can time interventions better. Identification to species still requires field checks; the camera directs that attention.
Potatoes and field vegetables
In potato growing the aphid flight determines virus risk and the timing of haulm killing in seed potatoes; in field vegetables it is about pests such as thrips, cabbage root fly and cutworms and the natural enemies that keep them in check. The camera delivers the continuous picture of flying insects around the crop; for small species such as aphids we discuss honestly beforehand what a pilot alongside existing methods can show.
Evidence for schemes and buyers
More and more schemes and buyers ask for evidence of biodiversity measures. A standardised series per field is useful for that; see also the pages on impact monitoring of schemes and agricultural businesses.
Getting started
You lease one or more cameras for at least a calendar year, portal included; image recognition is an option. Also read about greenhouse horticulture and fruit growing, or contact us.
Related
Frequently asked questions
What does monitoring in open-field crops deliver?
Insight into the course of pest pressure and natural enemies through the season, and into the difference between fields with and without a field margin or other measure. That helps in timing interventions and in substantiating choices towards buyers and schemes.
Is the camera interesting for potato growing?
In potato growing, and especially seed potatoes, much revolves around aphid flights as virus vectors. Aphids are small; whether the camera records them reliably enough in your situation requires a pilot alongside existing suction traps and yellow pan traps. The broader picture of flying insects and natural enemies in the field the camera delivers in any case.
How many cameras per field?
For a comparison you need at least two: one in or next to the measure (for example the field margin) and one at a reference spot. For large fields or several crops we extend that.
Can the camera stay the whole season?
Yes. It runs on solar power and 4G and is monitored remotely. Only for tillage or harvest do you move it briefly; that takes a few minutes.
Insect monitoring on your fields?
We think along about a set-up with field and margin, the measuring period and what the data can mean for your crop decisions and certification.