Lidar-based flying insect detection and species classification system
A novel lidar system adapted from honeybee monitoring technology to detect and classify multiple flying insect species in real time. Supports integrated pest management across agriculture, forestry, conservation, and public health by providing spatial and behavioral data unavailable from traditional trap-based monitoring.
Overview
This solution adapts a novel lidar system, originally developed to monitor honeybees, to detect and classify multiple species of flying insects in field settings. The technology targets the flying life stages of crop pests and other insects of interest to agriculture, forestry, conservation, and public health. By capturing insect wingbeat information along with environmental context, the system aims to deliver accurate, real-time species classification. This approach addresses a critical gap in integrated pest management by providing direct, in situ measurements of insect spatial distributions and behaviors at scales not achievable with conventional trap-based tools.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Lidar-based detection capable of identifying honeybee-sized organisms and larger flying insects in field environments
- Real-time species classification using insect wingbeat signatures combined with contextual environmental data
- Machine learning models trained to recognize multiple species across diverse growing environments
- Improved range and scanning area compared to predecessor instruments, with the current device under construction
- Potential to generate full adult and flying life stage profiles of insect distributions and behaviors
- Designed to support product evaluation and real-world application testing for agricultural inputs such as biological pest control products
Technology readiness level
The underlying lidar technology has been used to monitor honeybee-sized organisms in field settings since 2005. The current instrument, representing a marked improvement in range and scanning area, is currently under construction. Future validation efforts include obtaining observational data across entire flying life stages of selected crop pests, developing and training classification models, validating those models with multiple species in different growing environments, and building comprehensive life stage distribution and behavior profiles. Collaboration with product development personnel is planned to apply life stage profile information to product testing and real-world application.
About Open Sensory
Open Sensory provides consulting and technology development services focused on agriculture, food systems, and natural resource management. The company specializes in building infrastructure for agri-ecological modeling and data management, offering solutions such as Open Crop Data, a platform that enables specialty crop producers and market analysts to collect, manage, and report industry data. Their work involves rapid prototyping of software and hardware, systems integration, and human-centered design, with a commitment to open-source technologies and a business model that avoids proprietary lock-in or data monetization.
By focusing on the specific needs of land-based industries, Open Sensory aims to provide alternatives to monolithic enterprise software packages that often exceed the practical requirements and budgets of their clients. They partner with research-focused organizations to establish project continuity beyond standard grant cycles and offer strategic thought partnership to address complex stakeholder needs across finance, operations, and field management. The company prioritizes practical, scalable results over venture-backed growth, positioning itself as a stable partner for businesses looking to refine operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making in the field.
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