A series of methods incorporating deep learning and computer vision techniques in the study of fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) regurgitation

Abstract

In this study, we explored the potential of fruit fly regurgitation as a window to understand complex behaviors, such as predation and defense mechanisms, with implications for species-specific control measures that can enhance fruit quality and yield. We leverage deep learning and computer vision technologies to propose three distinct methodologies that advance the recognition, extraction, and trajectory tracking of fruit fly regurgitation. These methods show promise for broader applications in insect behavioral studies. Our evaluations indicate that the I3D model achieved a Top-1 Accuracy of 96.3% in regurgitation recognition, which is a notable improvement over the C3D and X3D models. The segmentation of the regurgitated substance via a combined U-Net and CBAM framework attains an MIOU of 90.96%, outperforming standard network models. Furthermore, we utilized threshold segmentation and OpenCV for precise quantification of the regurgitation liquid, while the integration of the Yolov5 and DeepSort algorithms provided 99.8% accuracy in fruit fly detection and tracking. The success of these methods suggests their efficacy in fruit fly regurgitation research and their potential as a comprehensive tool for interdisciplinary insect behavior analysis, leading to more efficient and non-destructive insect control strategies in agricultural settings.