Jan 16, 2023

Early detection of potential forest insect pests via sensor technology and AI

Tharandter Wald im Winter — Tharandt Forest in winter

How can potential forest insect pests be detected before a mass outbreak takes place? This question will be approached with an innovative solution within the "ForstView project - Early detection of forest insect pests“ under the direction of the Chair of Forest Protection at TU Dresden in collaboration with project partners at the Leipzig Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung and industry partners at the IFU GmbH Privates Institut für Analytik.

The project aims at developing and testing a modern and effective sensor technology method for the early detection particulary of the lepidoperans nun moth (Lymantria monacha) and oak processionary moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) as well as the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) in forests. Even little traces of typical olfactory patterns of the different developmental stages of these insects are to be detected by means of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) and to be identified by methods of artifical intelligence (AI). If this method is successful it can be transferred to other insect species and olfactory sources in forests.

The Zentrum für Produktionstechnik und Organisation (CIMTT) at TU Dresden is going to examine the user requirements for the development of a portable hand-held device taking into account the acknowledged ergonomic standards and is responsible for the preparation of research results for public purposes and their transfer into practice.

The photo below shows an egg cluster of nun moth that was uncovered by hand, meaning that the clusters are usually hidden beneath bark scales. To be able to detect these using the envisoned method without having to laboriously and systematically remove the tree's bark would be a revolution in forest health monitoring.

Unter Rindenschuppen verborgene Eiablage der Nonne (Lymantria monacha) — Eiablage der Nonne (Lymantria monacha)

The project is funded by the Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft and the Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, nukleare Sicherheit und Verbraucherschutz via the Waldklimafonds from January 2023 until December 2025. Project executing organization is the Fachagentur für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V.