D3127: Smart orchards: Using AI photo traps to investigate environmental influences on moth flight patterns in Pennsylvania

Traditional methods for monitoring insect pests, done primarily by manually checking traps weekly, often lack the precision to account for environmental variations that affect pest development. Using new AI-powered photo traps baited with pheromone lures, we can now have daily monitoring of pest populations, providing detailed insights into how environmental factors influence pest activity. This study focuses on the Oriental Fruit Moth (Grapholita molesta), an important agricultural pest in apple and peach orchards. In this study, we collected data across commercial orchards in seven different counties in Pennsylvania. This data was then combined with satellite and on-site weather monitoring to explore how regional environmental differences—such as temperature and humidity impact moth flight activity. The objective is to provide new insight into the existing development models, making them more precise and regionally tailored.
With more accurate models, orchard management can be optimized, allowing for timely and targeted management practices that can reduce the need for pesticide applications and provide economic savings to tree fruit growers.