The insect eavesdropper: Bridging lab research and field applications in entomology

The Insect Eavesdropper is an novel, cost-effective sensor designed to identify insect pests as they directly feed on plants. This $15 device, integrated with advanced machine-learning algorithms, has shown to be able to detect, identify, and count insects feeding on the leaves, boring down the stalk, and chewing on the rootzones in both laboratory and field settings. This presentation aims to walk through our experimental work outlining the use cases, limitations, and biases of this new sensor. Additionally, we propose the potential link between feeding rate and economic thresholds for pest management. By deploying this technology across major growing regions in the United States, we seek to demonstrate its utility in guiding economically informed pest control decisions. Ultimately, the Insect Eavesdropper promises to empower scientists and stakeholders with a novel tool for enhancing crop protection and optimizing pest management strategies.