The Integration of Drones in Biological Control Pest Management
Integrating drones in the biological control of pest management is becoming increasingly popular in modern agriculture. With their ability to efficiently and accurately survey crops and deliver targeted treatments, drones provide a new level of precision and effectiveness in pest management. Biocontrol uses natural predators, parasites, or pathogens to control pest populations. Despite their potential, challenges and limitations must be addressed to realize their benefits entirely. Let’s say factors that can influence the efficacy of biocontrols delivered by drones. In this article, we’ll explore the integration of agriculture drones in biological control pest management and some example the drone can manage.
Factors that affect drone biological control pest delivery.
Environmental conditions
When using drones to deliver biocontrols, environmental factors like wind, temperature, and humidity can affect how well it works. If it’s windy, the good bugs might not get where they should go. And if it rains, the bugs might get washed away before they can do their job. The biocontrols might not be as effective if these things happen.
Drone technology
Using different types of drones, their payload capacity, and the release mechanism can affect how well biocontrols work. Drones with bigger payloads can release more helpful bugs and improve pest control .
Optimization of operational parameters
Figuring out how high the drone should fly, how fast it should go, and what kind of nozzle to use. For instance, spraying pesticides on crops, using a four-rotor drone with a 15-liter payload, a two-fan nozzle, and a flight height of 2–3 meters is best. And remember to keep the speed between 3–5 meters per second. These settings will make sure your biocontrols are as effective as possible.
Crop type
The type of treated crop can affect the effectiveness of biocontrols delivered by drones. For example, crops with dense foliage may require a more targeted release of beneficial insects to ensure they reach their intended target.
Timing of release
The timing of the release of biocontrols can affect their effectiveness. For example, releasing beneficial insects too early or too late in the season may not effectively control pests.
Examples of Biological Control Drones Can Manage Pests.
While drones have numerous advantages, they have limitations in eradicating pests and diseases that may damage crops. Hence, it’s crucial to be mindful of the prevailing conditions and adjust accordingly. Here are some examples of how drones can effectively combat specific pathogens.
Baculovirus
Baculovirus is a virus that infects insects. This virus makes the insects stop eating and eventually die. It can help control pests like caterpillars and beetles. Drones can be used to spray Baculovirus in specific areas of crops. This way, we don’t need as many biocontrol agents, and there’s less risk to other organisms. Drones are also fast and can cover large areas, making controlling pests more efficient and cheaper.
Predatory mites
Predatory mites are beneficial organisms that prey on pests like spiders and thrips. They target the eggs and larvae of these pests, leading to a decrease in their population. To provide long-term pest control, sachets containing a breeding colony of predatory mites can be delivered to crops via drones. These sachets can be strategically placed in areas with high pest activity, improving the effectiveness of biocontrol.
Beauveria bassiana
Beauveria bassiana is a fungus that can attack and eliminate pests like aphids and whiteflies. This fungus produces spores that can enter the pest’s body and eventually kill it. Drones can enhance the effectiveness of this biocontrol agent by directly spraying particles or granules onto specific crop areas. This approach reduces the biocontrol agent needed and minimizes the risk of harming other organisms. Furthermore, using drones can cover larger crop areas more quickly, making the delivery of biocontrol more efficient and cost-effective.
Conclusion
Biocontrol is a highly effective pest management technique that minimizes dependence on synthetic pesticides. Drones have proven to be an invaluable tool for delivering biocontrols accurately and efficiently. Drones can quickly produce biocontrols such as Baculovirus, predatory mites, and Beauveria bassiana. By utilizing drones for biocontrol delivery, farmers can enhance their pest control capabilities while simultaneously reducing their environmental footprint.
