Fruit Fly Trapping and Forecasting

Summary

About the Technology

‘RapidFLY’ by RapidAIM is a smart pest trapping system that detects fruit flies and delivers real-time pest information. The system consists of a portable, battery-powered trap that uses pheromone-based lures to attract insects and low powered sensors to detect and count insects such as fruit fly from their characteristic movements. The sensors send data to the Cloud via radio signal, providing growers with real-time data flow of the pests on their farms and regions through a linked mobile app The RapidFLY system is scalable from individual traps to entire orchard or regional networks.

The Trial

This trial involved two phases aimed at assessing the efficacy of the RapidFLY system in commercial avocado and chilli crops in the Bundaberg region. For phase one of the trial, 11 RapidFLY traps were placed in an avocado crop and 19 in a chilli crop. The grower also collected data from manual fruit fly traps with Qlure-infused wicks, sited within 100m of each RapidAIM trap where environmental conditions were expected to be similar. This first phase was aimed at assessing the accuracy of the system for counting insect numbers. Pending the successful outcome of this phase, the grower then progressed to phase two of the trial aimed at assessing fruit fly behaviour patterns.

Overview
This case study provides an overview of findings from the technology trials including:

  • Background
  • What the technology is
  • How the trial was done
  • Results
  • Cost/benefit analysis
  • Grower feedback
  • Additional considerations that should be taken into account when deciding whether to utilise the technology

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Presentation of this case study is for information purposes only. It does not constitute a commercial endorsement by the stakeholders of the Bundaberg Agtech Hub.

Trials conducted by Hinkler AgTech Initiative

The CQUniversity Hinkler AgTech Initiative was funded through the Hinkler Regional Deal. The Hinkler Regional Deal is a collaboration between the Australian Government, Bundaberg Regional Council and Fraser Coast Regional Council.

CQUniversity will not be liable for any damage arising directly or indirectly from reliance on information obtained from this document. It is provided in good faith without express or implied warranty. * All published costs and other details are current as of February 2023.