Bark beetles as lidar targets and prospects of photonic surveillance

Forestry is raising concern about the outbreaks of European spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, causing extensive damage to the spruce forest and timber values. Precise monitoring of these beetles is a necessary step towards preventing outbreaks. Current commercial monitoring methods are catch-based and lack in both temporal and spatial resolution. In this work, light scattering from beetles is characterized, and the feasibility of entomological lidar as a tool for long-term monitoring of bark beetles is explored. Laboratory optical properties, wing thickness, and wingbeat frequency of bark beetles are reported, and these parameters can infer target identity in lidar data. Lidar results from a Swedish forest with controlled bark beetle release event are presented. The capability of lidar to simultaneously monitor both insects and a pheromone plume mixed with chemical smoke governing the dispersal of many insects is demonstrated. In conclusion, entomological lidar is a promising tool for monitoring bark beetles.     

Hierarchical classification of pollinating flying insects under changing environments

Automatic monitoring of flying insects enables quick and efficient observations and management of ecologically and economically important targets such as pollinators, disease vectors, and agricultural pests. Studies on this topic mainly cover the tasks of detection and identification or classification, the latter often guided by the flight sounds of insects. This paper uses domain knowledge and taxonomy information to classify bee and wasp species based on abiotic variables and wing-beat data that change depending on climatic-environmental conditions. We survey the state-of-the-art in hierarchical classification and evaluate the most popular local and global methods for this task on flight data from nine hymenopteran species. We collected the data in Brazilian fields employing an inexpensive optical sensor. Our results show that it is possible to hierarchically classify groups of specimens per species, species, and groups of species according to their wing-beat data at different temperature and relative humidity levels with at least 91% accuracy. Besides benefiting research aimed at building insect classifiers adaptable to natural variations in the environment, this study is a vital step in a series of efforts to design non-invasive species monitoring techniques.     

垂直监测昆虫雷达研究进展

昆虫雷达可以远距离、 大范围、 快速地探测迁飞昆虫, 这极大促进了人类对昆虫迁飞行为的认识。垂直监测昆虫雷达技术是从20世纪70年代发展起来的一种监测高空迁飞昆虫种群的新工具。与传统的扫描雷达相比, 垂直监测昆虫雷达可以获得目标的位移速度、 位移方向、 定向、 体型大小和形状等参数, 因此, 对目标的识别能力更为精确。此外, 垂直监测昆虫雷达实现了在微机控制下的自动运行, 这使得应用昆虫雷达开展迁飞昆虫的日常监测成为可能。本文综述了垂直监测昆虫雷达的发展和应用, 介绍了设计原理和回波参数的解算方法, 讨论了其存在的不足及改进方案, 最后并对其在未来昆虫雷达网络建设中的应用进行了展望。     

雷达观测空中飞行昆虫的有效距离

以包覆细铜纱网的乒乓球作为标准检测目标,检测了X-频带,波长3cm的公主岭昆虫雷达观测空中飞行昆虫的有效距离。检测到乒乓球回波的最远距离为5185.6m;计算观测个体粘虫Mythimnaseparata（Walker）的最远有效距离约为2000m,观测个体褐飞虱Nilaparvatalugens（Stal）的最远有效距离的为300m。该雷达适于观测粘虫等体重几十mg的昆虫在空中的飞行动态。     

The influence of the atmospheric boundary layer on nocturnal layers of noctuids and other moths migrating over southern Britain

Insects migrating at high altitude over southern Britain have been continuously monitored by automatically operating, vertical-looking radars over a period of several years. During some occasions in the summer months, the migrants were observed to form well-defined layer concentrations, typically at heights of 200-400 m, in the stable night-time atmosphere. Under these conditions, insects are likely to have control over their vertical movements and are selecting flight heights that are favourable for long-range migration. We therefore investigated the factors influencing the formation of these insect layers by comparing radar measurements of the vertical distribution of insect density with meteorological profiles generated by the UK Meteorological Office's (UKMO) Unified Model (UM). Radar-derived measurements of mass and displacement speed, along with data from Rothamsted Insect Survey light traps, provided information on the identity of the migrants. We present here three case studies where noctuid and pyralid moths contributed substantially to the observed layers. The major meteorological factors influencing the layer concentrations appeared to be: (a) the altitude of the warmest air, (b) heights corresponding to temperature preferences or thresholds for sustained migration and (c) on nights when air temperatures are relatively high, wind-speed maxima associated with the nocturnal jet. Back-trajectories indicated that layer duration may have been determined by the distance to the coast. Overall, the unique combination of meteorological data from the UM and insect data from entomological radar described here show considerable promise for systematic studies of high-altitude insect layering.     

Detection and monitoring of insect resistance to transgenic Bt crops

Transgenic crops expressing Bacillus thuringiensis （Bt） endotoxins havebecome one of the most important tools for managing corn and cotton insect pests in the US and other countries. The widespread adoption of transgenic Bt crops could place a high degree of selection pressure on the target insect populations and accelerate development of resistance, raising concerns about the long-term durability of Bt plants as an effective pest management tool. Conservation of Bt susceptibility in insects has become one of the most active research areas in modern agriculture. One of the key factors for a successful Bt resistance management plan is to have a cost-effective monitoring system that can provide information on. （i） the initial Bt resistance allele frequencies at low levels in field insect populations; and （ii） early shifts in Bt resistance allele frequencies so that proactive measures for managing resistance can be deployed well before field control failures. Developing such a monitoring program has been difficult because： （i） resistance traits that occur at very low frequencies are hard to detect; （ii） many factors affect the sensitivity and accuracy of a Bt resistance monitoring program; and （iii） monitoring resistance is costly. Several novel methods for detecting Bt resistance alleles developed during the last decade have made a cost-effective monitoring system possible. Future studies should focus on how to improve and standardize the methodologies for insect sampling and Bt resistance detection.     

遥感技术在昆虫生态学中的应用途径与进展

结合雷达、航空和卫星遥感本身的特点 ,从害虫本身、害虫所造成的危害、影响害虫发展的环境因子三方面介绍了遥感技术在区域性害虫的早期监测及预测中的应用途径与最新进展。针对害虫本身的个体大小、可动性和种群所在空间尺度的影响 ,作者强调应发挥不同遥感系统各自独特的优势 ,同时 ,综合应用“3S”技术和时空模型方法 ,才能够实现害虫动态的可视化、立体化、实时化和精确化监测及预测。     

WSR-88D doppler radar detection of corn earworm moth migration

Corn earworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) (CEW) populations infesting one crop production area may rapidly migrate and infest distant crop production areas. Although entomological radars have detected corn earworm moth migrations, the spatial extent of the radar coverage has been limited to a small horizontal view above crop production areas. The Weather Service Radar (version 88D) (WSR-88D) continuously monitors the radar-transmitted energy reflected by, and radial speed of, biota as well as by precipitation over areas that may encompass crop production areas. We analyzed data from the WSR-88D radar (S-band) at Brownsville, Texas, and related these data to aerial concentrations of CEW estimated by a scanning entomological radar (X-band) and wind velocity measurements from rawinsonde and pilot balloon ascents. The WSR-88D radar reflectivity was positively correlated (r ²?=?0.21) with the aerial concentration of corn earworm-size insects measured by a scanning X-band radar. WSR-88D radar constant altitude plan position indicator estimates of wind velocity were positively correlated with wind speed (r ²?=?0.56) and wind direction (r ²?=?0.63) measured by pilot balloons and rawinsondes. The results reveal that WSR-88D radar measurements of insect concentration and displacement speed and direction can be used to estimate the migratory flux of corn earworms and other nocturnal insects, information that could benefit areawide pest management programs. In turn, identification of the effects of spatiotemporal patterns of migratory flights of corn earworm-size insects on WSR-88D radar measurements may lead to the development of algorithms that increase the accuracy of WSR-88D radar measurements of reflectivity and wind velocity for operational meteorology.     

THE FEASIBILITY OF USING VERTICAL-LOOKING RADAR TO MONITOR THE MIGRATION OF BROWN PLANTHOPPER AND OTHER INSECT PESTS OF RICE IN CHINA

Abstract The recent development of automatically operating, inexpensive vertical-looking radar (VLR) for entomological purposes has made it practical to carry out routine, automated monitoring of insect aerial migration throughout the year. In this paper we investigate whether such radars might have a role in monitoring and forecasting schemes designed to improve the management of the Brown Planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens , and of associated rice pest species in China. A survey of the literature revealed that these insects typically migrate at altitudes between 300 to 2 000 m above ground level, but calculations based on BPH radar scattering cross-sections indicated that the maximum altitude at which they individually produce signals analysable by current VLRs is only ˜ 240 m. We also show that coverage over most of the flight altitudes of BPH could be achieved by building a VLR using a wavelength of 8.8 mm instead of the 3.2 cm of existing VLR, but that such a radar would be expensive to build and to operate. We suggest that a more practical solution would be to use a 3.2 cm VLR as a monitor of the aerial movement of the larger species, from which the migration of rice pests in general might be inferred.     

The use of vertical-looking radar to continuously monitor the insect fauna flying at altitude over southern England

The continuous automatic monitoring of the aerial density, biomass and relative diversity of high-flying insect faunas has been made practicable by a new, vertical-looking radar. This inexpensive radar system, with its novel signal analysis capability, represents a major advance over earlier vertical-beam radars because it provides estimates of the body mass of individual overflying insects, as well as measurements of their direction and speed of movement. This paper summarizes data collected over a three-month period by the new radar in the height range from 150 m to c.1 km, over agricultural land in Worcestershire, England. The day-to-day variation in the numbers of insects and their altitudinal and diurnal patterns of flight activity are presented. Examples are also given of distributions of mass, displacement speed and direction, and orientation direction. The potential of the new radar for various research and operational monitoring tasks is briefly discussed.     

应用昆虫雷达检测昆虫的研究

本文简述了国际昆虫雷达发展的概况,报道公主岭昆虫雷达的应用。列出高塔、气球吊挂昆虫和地面释放昆虫的测试结果,并总结经验提出了观测方法。     

计算机在昆虫分类中的新用途

计算机作为一种昆虫分类的工具 ,已广泛用于昆虫的数值分类和支序分类中。随着多媒体计算机以及计算机网络技术的迅速发展 ,它在昆虫分类中又有了新的用途。多媒体计算机的使用将使传统的形态分类产生质的飞跃 ,并能通过互联网核对模式标本和进行昆虫种类的共同鉴定 ,使传统分类充满新的活力。     

Predictive model for airborne insect abundance intercepted by a continuous wave Scheimpflug lidar in relation to meteorological parameters

A Scheimpflug lidar system, based on the Scheimpflug arrangement has recently been developed and has demonstrated its ability to detect, identify, differentiate, and monitor aerial insect activity in real time and in situ. Despite the performance of such as system, making forecasts remains a challenge. The abundance of aerial insects and their distribution are determined by meteorological factors and seasonality. Based on Scheimpflug lidar data and local meteorological parameters, this study aimed to predict the abundance of airborne insects. Abundance is recorded for both dry and rainy seasons for two days, from 8 am to 9 pm. Local meteorological parameters are also recorded. The exploratory analysis of the meteorological data is carried out using principal component analysis (PCA). Statistical modeling of flying insect activity is carried out using principal, partial least square and ridge regression models. This modeling has shown that the abundance of airborne insects depended largely on the weather conditions and give relevant forecasting of airborne insects to help fighting against vector-borne diseases and to control insect-pests in crops.     

A specialized dorsal rim area for polarized light detection in the compound eye of the scarab beetle Pachysoma striatum

Many animals have been shown to use the pattern of polarized light in the sky as an optical compass. Specialised photoreceptors are used to analyse this pattern. We here present evidence for an eye design suitable for polarized skylight navigation in the flightless desert scarab Pachysoma striatum. Morphological and electrophysiological studies show that an extensive part of the dorsal eye is equivalent to the dorsal rim area used for polarized light navigation in other insects. A polarization-sensitivity of 12.8 (average) can be recorded from cells sensitive to the ultraviolet spectrum of light. Features commonly known to increase the visual fields of polarization-sensitive photoreceptors, or to decrease their spatial resolution, are not found in the eye of this beetle. We argue that in this insect an optically unspecialised area for polarized light detection allows it not be used exclusively for polarized light navigation.     

The development of new algorithms for remote sensing of snow conditions based on data from the catchment of Øvre Heimdalsvatn and the vicinity

The catchment of Øvre Heimdalsvatn and the surrounding area was established as a site for snow remote sensing algorithm development, calibration and validation in 1997. Information on snow cover and snowmelt are important for understanding the timing and scale of many lake ecosystem processes. Field campaigns combined with data from airborne sensors and spaceborne high-resolution sensors have been used as reference data in experiments over many years. Several satellite sensors have been utilised in the development of new algorithms, including Terra MODIS and Envisat ASAR. The experiments have been motivated by operational prospects for snow hydrology, meteorology and climate monitoring by satellite-based remote sensing techniques. This has resulted in new time-series multi-sensor approaches for monitoring of snow cover area (SCA) and snow surface wetness (SSW). The idea was to analyse, on a daily basis, a time series of optical and radar satellite data in multi-sensor models. The SCA algorithm analyses each optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image individually and combines them into a day product based on a set of confidence functions. The SSW algorithm combines information about the development of the snow surface temperature and the snow grain size (SGS) in a time-series analysis. The snow cover algorithm is being evaluated for application in a global climate monitoring system for snow variables. The successful development of these algorithms has led to operational applications of snow monitoring in Norway and Sweden, as well as enabling the prediction of the spring snowmelt flood and thus the initiation of many lake production processes.     

基因组时代的昆虫学研究

昆虫种类繁多,它与生态系统中的生物多样性,以及人类的日常生活和生产密切相关。自2000年黑腹果蝇Drosophila melanogaster全基因组测序完成以来,至今已先后开展了88种昆虫全基因组测序工作,这标志着昆虫学研究进入了基因组时代。本文综述了近年来昆虫基因组测序进展,以及基于基因组的昆虫学研究方法及应用等两方面的研究成果。同时,着重介绍了昆虫全基因组测序进程,昆虫基因组在个体生物学、多物种间及种群,及系统生物学研究中的应用等方面的内容。最后,还探讨了基因组时代昆虫学研究所面临的挑战。     

The harmonic radar: a new method of tracing insects in the field

ABSTRACT.

• 1 A novel technique for tracing the movements of insects in the field is described.
• 2 The detection system is based on radar technology originally developed for locating avalanche victims. The key of the system is a tiny electronic diode that, glued to the insect, can reflect microwave beams emitted by portable detection equipment.
• 3 The technique has been successfully tested in a field-tracing experiment with carabid beetles. The results show that these insects are capable of dispersing surprisingly long distances in a relatively short period of time.

     

Flying Insect Detection and Classification with Inexpensive Sensors

An inexpensive, noninvasive system that could accurately classify flying insects would have important implications for entomological research, and allow for the development of many useful applications in vector and pest control for both medical and agricultural entomology. Given this, the last sixty years have seen many research efforts devoted to this task. To date, however, none of this research has had a lasting impact. In this work, we show that pseudo-acoustic optical sensors can produce superior data; that additional features, both intrinsic and extrinsic to the insect’s flight behavior, can be exploited to improve insect classification; that a Bayesian classification approach allows to efficiently learn classification models that are very robust to over-fitting, and a general classification framework allows to easily incorporate arbitrary number of features. We demonstrate the findings with large-scale experiments that dwarf all previous works combined, as measured by the number of insects and the number of species considered.     

Perspectives and challenges for the use of radar in biological conservation

Radar is at the forefront for the study of broad‐scale aerial movements of birds, bats and insects and related issues in biological conservation. Radar techniques are especially useful for investigating species which fly at high altitudes, in darkness, or which are too small for applying electronic tags. Here, we present an overview of radar applications in biological conservation and highlight its future possibilities. Depending on the type of radar, information can be gathered on local‐ to continental‐scale movements of airborne organisms and their behaviour. Such data can quantify flyway usage, biomass and nutrient transport (bioflow), population sizes, dynamics and distributions, times and dimensions of movements, areas and times of mass emergence and swarming, habitat use and activity ranges. Radar also captures behavioural responses to anthropogenic disturbances, artificial light and man‐made structures. Weather surveillance and other long‐range radar networks allow spatially broad overviews of important stopover areas, songbird mass roosts and emergences from bat caves. Mobile radars, including repurposed marine radars and commercially dedicated ‘bird radars’, offer the ability to track and monitor the local movements of individuals or groups of flying animals. Harmonic radar techniques have been used for tracking short‐range movements of insects and other small animals of conservation interest. However, a major challenge in aeroecology is determining the taxonomic identity of the targets, which often requires ancillary data obtained from other methods. Radar data have become a global source of information on ecosystem structure, composition, services and function and will play an increasing role in the monitoring and conservation of flying animals and threatened habitats worldwide.     

Towards Quantitative Optical Cross Sections in Entomological Laser Radar – Potential of Temporal and Spherical Parameterizations for Identifying Atmospheric Fauna

In recent years, the field of remote sensing of birds and insects in the atmosphere (the aerial fauna) has advanced considerably, and modern electro-optic methods now allow the assessment of the abundance and fluxes of pests and beneficials on a landscape scale. These techniques have the potential to significantly increase our understanding of, and ability to quantify and manage, the ecological environment. This paper presents a concept whereby laser radar observations of atmospheric fauna can be parameterized and table values for absolute cross sections can be catalogued to allow for the study of focal species such as disease vectors and pests. Wing-beat oscillations are parameterized with a discrete set of harmonics and the spherical scatter function is parameterized by a reduced set of symmetrical spherical harmonics. A first order spherical model for insect scatter is presented and supported experimentally, showing angular dependence of wing beat harmonic content. The presented method promises to give insights into the flight heading directions of species in the atmosphere and has the potential to shed light onto the km-range spread of pests and disease vectors.