Optimum Flight Height for the Control of Desert Locusts Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)
Author:
Ochieng’ Violet12ORCID, Rwomushana Ivan1ORCID, Ong’amo George2, Ndegwa Paul2ORCID, Kamau Solomon3, Makale Fernadis1ORCID, Chacha Duncan1, Gadhia Kush4, Akiri Morris1
Affiliation:
1. CAB International (CABI), P.O. Box 633, Nairobi 00621, Kenya 2. Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Biology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi 00625, Kenya 3. Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology (LARMAT), University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053, Nairobi 00625, Kenya 4. Astral Aerial Solutions, P.O. Box 594, Nairobi 00606, Kenya
Abstract
Desert locust is one of the most destructive migratory pest in the world. Current methods of control rely on conventional chemical insecticides during invasion. Some environmentally friendly biopesticides based on Metarhizium acridum and insect growth regulators have also been deployed in preventive control operations. They have been tested in sprayers mounted on commonly used platforms such as vehicles, aircraft, and human. However, despite being used successfully, these tools present many challenges, hence the need to supplement them with suitable alternatives. The successful use of drones to control pests such as fall armyworm, planthoppers, aphids, among others, makes it an attractive technology that has the potential to improve locust management, especially in inaccessible areas. However, key parameters for the safe and optimal use of drones in desert locust control are not documented. This study established the key parameters for spraying desert locusts with a drone. To test the optimum height for spraying Metarhizium acridum on the locusts, the drone was flown at five different heights: 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, and 12.5 m. At each height, the drone sprayed the ink mixture on spray cards pinned to the ground to approximate the droplet density and compare it to the standard droplet density recommended for desert locust control. To assess the efficacy of M. acridum and the effectiveness of drones in its application, 50 g of spores were mixed in 1 L of diesel and sprayed on caged live locusts of different stages (3rd and 4th instars, as well as the adults); they were monitored for twenty-one days in a controlled room, and their mortality was determined. Variation in droplet density between the tested heights was significant. A height of 10 m agrees with the recommended standard droplet density within the 45 droplets/cm2 range. Mortality varied among the locusts’ developmental stages within and between heights. Survival probability varied between heights for 3rd instar, 4th instar, and adults. All the developmental stages of the desert locust were susceptible to Novacrid and the recommended target stage is the 3rd instar. Management of desert locusts by the use of drone technology appears promising when the pesticides are applied at an optimum height and standard operating procedures are followed. Further research could explore the gap in the effects of environmental parameters on flight application efficiency.
Funder
UKaid from the UK government Carol Ellison Science Award for 2021
Subject
Artificial Intelligence,Computer Science Applications,Aerospace Engineering,Information Systems,Control and Systems Engineering
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