Commercialisation of a species-identifying automated stored-product insect monitoring system

摘要

The world's first commercially available, automated, insect-monitoring system, the Electronic Grain Probe Insect Counter (EGPIC), provides real-time data indicative of infestation levels in stored products. The "smart" grain probe circuitry analysesand transmits key components of the infrared sensor output signal that enable the central system computer to discriminate insect species and count only insects that fall through the infrared beam. When used with temperature data also provided by the probe, the number and identity of detected insects can help managers to estimate population densities and make control decisions without extraneous worker entries into grain bins. OPI Systems, Calgary, Canada, has integrated EGPIC into its StorMax automatedstored-product management system to provide a tool which can help preserve grain quality while reducing fumigations, enhancing the viability of pesticide alternatives, and providing rapid and safe control-efficacy feedback.