Aerial Systems for Releasing Natural Enemy Insects of Purple Loosestrife Using Drones
<i>Lythrum salicaria</i> (purple loosestrife) is an invasive species that displaces native wetland flora in the USA. The detection and manual release of biological control agents for <i>L. salicaria</i> is challenging because <i>L. salicaria</i> inhabits many inac...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Drones |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/8/11/635 |
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| author | Kushal Naharki Christopher Hayes Yong-Lak Park |
| author_facet | Kushal Naharki Christopher Hayes Yong-Lak Park |
| author_sort | Kushal Naharki |
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| description | <i>Lythrum salicaria</i> (purple loosestrife) is an invasive species that displaces native wetland flora in the USA. The detection and manual release of biological control agents for <i>L. salicaria</i> is challenging because <i>L. salicaria</i> inhabits many inaccessible areas. This study was conducted to develop aerial systems for the detection of <i>L. salicaria</i> and the release of its natural enemy, <i>Galerucella calmariensis</i> (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). We determined the optimal sensors and flight height for the aerial detection of <i>L. salicaria</i> and designed an aerial deployment method for <i>G. calmariensis</i>. Drone-based aerial surveys were conducted at various flight heights utilizing RGB, multispectral, and thermal sensors. We also developed an insect container (i.e., bug ball) for the aerial deployment of <i>G. calmariensis</i>. Our findings indicated that <i>L. salicaria</i> flowers were detectable with an RGB sensor at flight heights ≤ 15 m above the canopy. The post-release mortality and feeding efficiency of <i>G. calmariensis</i> did not significantly differ from the control group (non-aerial release), indicating the feasibility of the targeted release of <i>G. calmariensis</i>. This innovative study establishes a critical foundation for the future development of sophisticated aerial systems designed for the automated detection of invasive plants and the precise release of biological control agents, significantly advancing ecological management and conservation efforts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b0df7d5daf19450eb66ae2b63c23bb89 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2504-446X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Drones |
| spelling | doaj-art-b0df7d5daf19450eb66ae2b63c23bb892025-08-20T02:08:03ZengMDPI AGDrones2504-446X2024-11-0181163510.3390/drones8110635Aerial Systems for Releasing Natural Enemy Insects of Purple Loosestrife Using DronesKushal Naharki0Christopher Hayes1Yong-Lak Park2Entomology Program, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USAUSDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection, Morgantown, WV 26505, USAEntomology Program, School of Natural Resources and the Environment, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA<i>Lythrum salicaria</i> (purple loosestrife) is an invasive species that displaces native wetland flora in the USA. The detection and manual release of biological control agents for <i>L. salicaria</i> is challenging because <i>L. salicaria</i> inhabits many inaccessible areas. This study was conducted to develop aerial systems for the detection of <i>L. salicaria</i> and the release of its natural enemy, <i>Galerucella calmariensis</i> (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). We determined the optimal sensors and flight height for the aerial detection of <i>L. salicaria</i> and designed an aerial deployment method for <i>G. calmariensis</i>. Drone-based aerial surveys were conducted at various flight heights utilizing RGB, multispectral, and thermal sensors. We also developed an insect container (i.e., bug ball) for the aerial deployment of <i>G. calmariensis</i>. Our findings indicated that <i>L. salicaria</i> flowers were detectable with an RGB sensor at flight heights ≤ 15 m above the canopy. The post-release mortality and feeding efficiency of <i>G. calmariensis</i> did not significantly differ from the control group (non-aerial release), indicating the feasibility of the targeted release of <i>G. calmariensis</i>. This innovative study establishes a critical foundation for the future development of sophisticated aerial systems designed for the automated detection of invasive plants and the precise release of biological control agents, significantly advancing ecological management and conservation efforts.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/8/11/635biological controldrone<i>Galerucella</i>invasive plantspurple loosestrifesensors |
| spellingShingle | Kushal Naharki Christopher Hayes Yong-Lak Park Aerial Systems for Releasing Natural Enemy Insects of Purple Loosestrife Using Drones Drones biological control drone <i>Galerucella</i> invasive plants purple loosestrife sensors |
| title | Aerial Systems for Releasing Natural Enemy Insects of Purple Loosestrife Using Drones |
| title_full | Aerial Systems for Releasing Natural Enemy Insects of Purple Loosestrife Using Drones |
| title_fullStr | Aerial Systems for Releasing Natural Enemy Insects of Purple Loosestrife Using Drones |
| title_full_unstemmed | Aerial Systems for Releasing Natural Enemy Insects of Purple Loosestrife Using Drones |
| title_short | Aerial Systems for Releasing Natural Enemy Insects of Purple Loosestrife Using Drones |
| title_sort | aerial systems for releasing natural enemy insects of purple loosestrife using drones |
| topic | biological control drone <i>Galerucella</i> invasive plants purple loosestrife sensors |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/8/11/635 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kushalnaharki aerialsystemsforreleasingnaturalenemyinsectsofpurpleloosestrifeusingdrones AT christopherhayes aerialsystemsforreleasingnaturalenemyinsectsofpurpleloosestrifeusingdrones AT yonglakpark aerialsystemsforreleasingnaturalenemyinsectsofpurpleloosestrifeusingdrones |