This project is investigating the feasibility of developing an advanced multi-modal system for remote daytime video tracking and acoustic characterisation of pollinating species in field conditions. The system will prove particularly beneficial in studying the behaviours of insects that have economic significance, for example pollinating bees, and by extension, insects that act as disease vectors. To exemplify the technology, the sensor system will initially address the challenge of dynamically mapping the exchange of pollinators from the floral field margins to the bulk crop. This will add to our understanding of the spatial dynamics of insect movement in response to interventions designed to enhance service provision by insects and will inform the optimisation of these technologies. There are clear and significant reasons why this research is useful and in the public interest.; further, in addition to the substantial scientific, societal and economic benefits, the research is framed by a range of considerable technological challenges, the solutions to which will have wider applications in other engineering contexts. In summary, this interdisciplinary proposal is relevant to the study of insect behaviour, agriculture, pollination optimisation, electronic engineering, information processing and animal flight data analysis.
Contact: patrick.gaydecki@manchester.ac.uk
Collaborators: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Manchester
Funders: N/A