Year: 2021
Type: article
Abstract: Locust outbreaks usually begin in remote unpopulated areas following higher than average rainfall. The need to survey such areas has suggested that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), often referred to as drones, might be a suitable means of surveying areas with suitable detection devices to survey areas and detect important locust concentrations. This would facilitate determining where sprays need to be applied at this early stage and would minimise the risk of swarms developing and migrating to feed on large areas of crops. Ideally, a drone could also spray groups of hoppers and adults at this stage. To date, tests have shown limitations in their use to apply sprays, although it has been suggested that using a fleet of drones might be possible. The use of biopesticide in these areas has the advantage of being more environmentally acceptable as the spray has no adverse impact on birds.
Source: Agronomy
Author: Graham A. Matthews
Institution: Imperial College London
Language: English
Subfield: Insect Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDGs: Life on land, Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,944
OpenAlex ID: W3164814432