A field unit for automatic monitoring of insect behaviour

The aim of this work was the development of a field unit for automatic recording and related data analysis of insect orientation towards an attractive pheromone source. Currently the evidence of male behaviour under mating disruption is still peculative, due to the difficulty to conduct field observations which unequivocally show the operative mechanisms. This monitoring system provides behavioural data, in order to optimize the effectiveness of control strategies based on semiochemicals. Specifically, the unit records frequencies of the visits, temporal dynamics and trajectories around the attractive source. The operating principle of the unit is based on the acquisition and real-time analysis of near infrared images relative to an area of 80 x 80cm around the source; the functioning is fully autonomous and remotely controlled via GSM network. We chose as study model the behaviour of codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), in an apple orchard managed with mating disruption (Isomate C Plus, 1000/ha). The operation of the unit was verified by analysing the approach of the males toward three different attractive sources: a standard monitoring lure (1 mg of E8,E10-dodecadien-1-ol), an Isomate CP Plus dispenser and two calling females. The infrared camera was placed in the middle of a field tunnel. For each trial 10 virgin, 2-3-day-old males were released. The recordings went on for 2 days, from 7.00 pm to the midnight.