Advancing precision pest management in corn and soybeans: Utilizing UAV technology for early detection and sustainable control strategies

Objectives:

• Use remote sensing to build a predictive model for the location of western bean cutworm (WBC) egg masses in Ontario field corn.
• Determine the viability of biological control of two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) in soybeans using predatory mites and UAVs.

• Conduct economic analyses of the integrated pest management (IPM) strategies investigated in this project.

Expected Impacts:

• New technology, like UAVs (drones), may provide efficient, cost-effective scouting and biological control application solutions for Ontario corn and soybean producers to target insect-infested or high-risk fields. Ultimately, this technology could possibly save time and money for Ontario grain producers, resulting in increased profits.
• The development of dimethoate resistance in TSSM has created a need for alternative control options. This study will investigate a sustainable and potentially economically viable biological control alternative to pesticides.

Project Overview:

This project addresses two key problems in Ontario crop production: Western bean cutworm (WBC) infestation in corn and two-spotted spider mite (TSSM) management in soybeans. The project will explore whether unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with multispectral cameras can identify fields at risk of WBC infestation by detecting plant health indicators such as fertility, population, and topography. It also investigates the use of drones for biological control in TSSM management by applying predatory mites earlier and more efficiently, potentially reducing the need for chemical controls.

By improving field monitoring through remote sensing and enabling precision application of biological controls, the project could greatly improve pest management and reduce labour costs. These advances would provide Ontario farmers with better tools for early pest detection and sustainable, cost-effective control options. The use of UAVs in pest management opens a new field in precision agriculture, promoting both environmental and economic benefits for the Ontario agri-food sector.

External Funding Partners:

BioBee

This research is funded in part by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, a collaboration between the Government of Ontario and the University of Guelph.