Annapolis, MD, June 28, 2021 - Drones are becoming smaller and more versatile, but their potential uses keep growing. Unmanned aircraft systems now tackle the most important small problems in the world: pests.New pest-management strategies are being used to target insects that pose a threat to crops, ecosystems, public health, and the environment. These include unmanned aircraft systems (or drones), which can be used for detection and control. A variety of these applications are included in a special collection that was published in the Journal of Economic Entomology this week.Nathan Moses-Gonzales is the CEO of M3 Agriculture Technologies. He compiled the research collection with Michael Brewer, Ph.D., a professor of field crops and entomology at Texas A&M University. Moses-Gonzales explains that technological advancements have allowed for creative collaborations between drone developers and entomologists in the years since. It has been fascinating to see the evolution of UAS technology within entomology.This collection, which includes both recently published and newly released research, demonstrates both the potential and progress of drone technology in pest management settings. These are some of the cases:The purpose of this study is to identify and sample standing water that mosquito larvae may be using for insecticide application.Applying precise amounts to pheromones by drone over cranberry plants to disrupt the mating process of cranberry fruitworms, Acrobasis vacinii and blackheaded fireworms, Rhopobota nueva.To photograph tree canopies using a drone in winter, to check for Monema flavescens cocoons and prevent them from being defoliated in the following summer.Drone delivery and release of predator and parasitoid insect via drones to target Ostrinia Nubilalis (European corn borer) and Chioristoneura fumiferana (eastern spruce budsworm).Drones can be used to release sterile Mexican fruit fly (Anastrepha licens) or codling moths, which will suppress wild populations of pests. This is a modern version of the traditional sterile insect technique.The collection contains several articles that explore future uses of drone technology in pest management. These include aerial spectral imagery for crops and plants to determine signs of pest damage and enhanced deployment of traps to detect insects in difficult-to-reach places.Moses-Gonzales states that "our special collection speaks to their uniqueness and demonstrates how entomologists play a vital role in bringing concepts into reality through field testing and methods development."Drone technology will continue to improve in pest management. However, further research, development and experimentation in related fields like automation and artificial intelligence is essential. Moses-Gonzales, Brewer and others believe there is a bright future in this multidisciplinary field.Moses-Gonzales states that she hopes that the Journal of Economic Entomology can be a forum that supports rigorous research and also documents the development of novel tools for pest management.###The ESA special collection, "Drones for Improve Insect Pest Management", contains 15 research articles that were published in the Journal of Economic Entomology.CONTACT Joe Rominiecki at jrominiecki@entsoc.org 301-731-4535, x3009ESA is the largest international organization that serves the scientific and professional needs of entomologists, and other related professionals. ESA was founded in 1889 and has over 7,000 members who are affiliated with private industry, government, educational institutions, health agencies, and the private sector. The Society is based in Annapolis, Maryland and serves as an educational and scientific resource for all things insect-related. Visit www.entsoc.org for more information.
