Precise Agriculture:Effective Deep Learning Strategies to Detect Pest Insects

Pest insect monitoring and control is crucial to ensure a safe and profitable crop growth in all plantation types,as well as guarantee food quality and limited use of pesticides.We aim at extending traditional monitoring by means of traps,by involving the general public in reporting the presence of insects by using smartphones.This includes the largely unexplored problem of detecting insects in images that are taken in noncontrolled conditions.Furthermore,pest insects are,in many cases,extremely similar to other species that are harmless.Therefore,computer vision algorithms must not be fooled by these similar insects,not to raise unmotivated alarms.In this work,we study the capabilities of state-of-the-art(SoA)object detection models based on convolutional neural networks(CNN)for the task of detecting beetle-like pest insects on nonhomogeneous images taken outdoors by different sources.Moreover,we focus on disambiguating a pest insect from similar harmless species.We consider not only detection performance of different models,but also required computational resources.This study aims at providing a baseline model for this kind of tasks.Our results show the suitability of current SoA models for this application,highlighting how FasterRCNN with a MobileNetV3 backbone is a particularly good starting point for accuracy and inference execution latency.This combination provided a mean average precision score of 92.66%that can be considered qualitatively at least as good as the score obtained by other authors that adopted more specific models.

Regional selection of insecticides and fungal biopesticides to control aphids and thrips and improve the forage quality of alfalfa crops

The efficacies of biological and conventional chemical insecticides against two major insect pests of alfalfa(aphids and thrips)were compared in three sites across China’s alfalfa belt.In addition,the persistence of the residues of chemical insecticides in alfalfa and their influence on the quality of alfalfa hay were examined.Efficacy varied among the different biological and chemical insecticides.The chemical insecticides were significantly more effective than biopesticides in a short time-frame.The efficacy period of biopesticides was significantly longer than that of chemical insecticides,and the corrected mortality rate of aphids in all regions was above 50%at 14 days after application.The analysis of pesticide residues showed that the residual doses of all the pesticides were within the allowed ranges after the safe period.The acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber contents in alfalfa hay were higher and the protein content was lower in chemical insecticide treatments than in biopesticide treatments in Hebei.The relative feeding value of alfalfa hay treated with Metarhizium anisopliae IPP330189 was the highest among the treatments.Compared with chemical insecticides,the yield of alfalfa hay was higher in the biopesticides treatments.Biopesticides show a stronger control effect on insect populations and also a better improvement in the quality of alfalfa hay than chemical insecticides.This study provides a basis for exploring and developing a comprehensive control regime for alfalfa insect pests in the different alfalfa-growing regions in China,and for reducing chemical insecticide usage and improving forage quality.

CRISPR-based genetic control strategies for insect pests

Genetic control strategies such as the sterile insect technique have successfully fought insect pests worldwide. The CRISPR(clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) technology, together with high-quality genomic resources obtained in more and more species, greatly facilitates the development of novel genetic control insect strains that can be used in area-wide and species-specific pest control programs. Here, we review the research progress towards state-of-art CRISPR-based genetic control strategies, including gene drive, sex ratio distortion, CRISPRengineered genetic sexing strains, and precision-guided sterile insect technique. These strategies’ working mechanisms,potential resistance development mechanisms, and regulations are illustrated and discussed. In addition, recent developments such as stacked and conditional systems are introduced. We envision that the advances in genetic technology will continue to be one of the driving forces for developing the next generation of pest control strategies.

Species and Control Techniques of Main Diseases and Insect Pests of Camellia oleifera in Anhui Province

[Objectives]The paper was to master the species,incidence regularity and control techniques of main diseases and insect pests of Camellia oleifera in Anhui Province.[Methods]The species of main diseases and insect pests of C.oleifera in major C.oleifera afforestation bases and seedling bases in Anhui Province were investigated through field survey and literature search.Afterwards,the symptom characteristics,occurrence regularity and harms of diseases and insect pests were analyzed,and scientific and reasonable control techniques were put forward.[Results]The main diseases of C.oleifera in Anhui Province were soft rot disease,blister blight,anthracnose,sooty blotch,etc.,and the main insect pests were Euproctis pseudoconspersa,Biston marginata,Hypomeces squamosus,Curculio chinensts,Chrenoma atritarsis,etc.The control techniques mainly included ecological regulation,physical prevention and control,chemical prevention and control,and biological prevention and control.[Conclusions]The results will promote the high-quality development of C.oleifera industry in Anhui Province,and contribute to the improvement of China s edible vegetable oil supply and national grain and oil security.

Effects of Rice-duck Mutualism on Diseases Insect Pests and Weeds and Economic Benefits

[Objective] Study on the effects of rice-duck mutualism on weeds and insects pests and economic benefits of paddy field. [Method] Comparison of the incidence of weeds, sheath blight and insects pest under rice-duck mutualism, conventional cultivation and control treatment, the yield and economic benefits were analyzed under the 3 treatments. [Result] Average occurrence of weeds in rice-duck mutualism group decreased by 2.33 and 52.0g ind/m^2 compared with that in conventional cultivation and control treatment ; the control rate of mutualism was up to 75% against rice hopper, but just between 25% -60% against rice leaf roller and Chilo suppressalis. The rates of diseased plant and diseased bell against rice sheath blight were higher and disease indices were lower compared with control group. The yield of mutualism group was identical with conventional cultivation, Which was greatly higher than that of control group. The results suggested an higher economic benefits and lower cost benefit ratio for rice-duck mutualism treatment. [Conclusion] Rice-duck mutualism gives birth to a positive effect to control the diseases, insect pests and weeds, as well as to economic benefits, providing basis on extension of rice-duck mutualism system.

Control Effects of 12 Kinds of Insecticides on Sugarcane Pests at Different Periods

[ Objective] The paper was to study control effects of 12 kinds of insecticides on sugarcane pests at different periods. [ Method] By field experiment, the control effects of different insecticides against sugarcane pests at planting stage, seedling stage and tillering stage of sugarcane were studied. [ Result] After seedcane was treated by Chlorantraniliprole, Durivo and Seed soaking, the dead heart seedlings were significantly reduced in fields, and the control effects were 87.13% ± 12.87%, 85.22% ± 14.78%, 82.71% ± 17.29%, respectively ; Durivo （ seedling emergence rate is 63.00% ± 10.30% ） and Seed soaking （ seedling emergence rate is 57.75 % ± 4.50% ） could also significantly enhance seedling emergence rate. After ＂removal-irrigation＂ treatment during seedling stage, the con- tml effects of Flubendiamide （76.26% ±4.31% ） and Chlorantraniliprele （61.66% ±6.65% ） against sugarcane stem borer were significantly higher than Virtako （60.17% ±7.06%）, Deltamethrin（38.75% ±9.88%）, lambda-cyhalothrin （54.06% ±6.83%）, 18% Dimehypo AS （37.98% ±10.31%） and Dipterex （38.64% ±9.34% ）. During tillering stage, with the increased application of 3.6% Dimehypo GR in cultivation and earthing up, the control effect on stem borer was significantly increased, and the control effect reached （72.03%± 17.06% ） as the dosage was 120 kg/hm2 ; when the dosage of phoxim exceeded 30 kg/hm2, the control effect on underground pests reached 44.00% ± 14.80%, and the control effect did not have significant difference as the dosage was ranged from 30 kg/hm2 to 60 kg/hm2. [ Conclusion] The paper provided scientific basis for selection of different control methods, different chemicals and dosages against pests during different periods.

Risk of control failure to insecticides malathion,profenophos+cypermethrin mixture,and fipronil in boll weevil(Coleoptera:Curculionidae)populations from Bahia,Brazil

Background To control the boll weevil Anthonomus grandis grandis(Coleoptera:Curculionidae),a key pest of cotton in the Americas,insecticides have been intensively used to manage their populations,increasing selection pressure for resistant populations.Thus,this study aimed to detect insecticide resistance and assess insecticide control failure likelihood of boll weevil populations exposed to malathion,profenophos+cypermethrin,and fipronil insecticides.Results Twelve populations of the boll weevil were collected from commercial cotton fileds of the state of Bahia,northeastern Brazil.These populations were exposed to malathion,profenophos+cypermethrin mixture,and fipronil,at their respective maximum label dose for field applications.Three replicates of 10 adult beetles were exposed to the insecticides and mortality was recorded after 24 h treatment.The control failure likelihood was determined after 48 h.Highest median lethal times(LT_(50))were observed for malathion and the profenophos+cypermethrin mixture.Resistance to at least one insecticide was detected in 11 populations;three populations were resistant to malathion and profenophos+cypermethrin;seven were resistant to all insecticides tested.The resistance levels were low(<10-fold)for the three insecticides.Among 12 populations tested,58%of them exhibited significant risk of control failure for the insecticides malathion and profenophos+cypermethrin.The insecticide fipronil was efficient for the control of the boll weevil in 83%of the populations.Conclusions The results confirm the significant risk of insecticide control failure in the boll weevil populations to the main compounds used in the region.Thus,proper insecticide resistance management plans are necessary for the boll weevil in the region,particularly for malathion and profenophos+cypermethrin insecticides.

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Herbivores and Its Stimulation to Major Insect Pests in Rice

Nitrogen is one of the most important factors in development of herbivore populations. The application of nitrogen fertilizer in plants can normally increase herbivore feeding preference, food consumption, survival, growth, reproduction, and population density, except few examples that nitrogen fertilizer reduces the herbivore performances. In most of the rice growing areas in Asia, the great increases in populations of major insect pests of rice, including planthoppers （Nilaparvata lugens and Sogatella furcifera）, leaffolder （ Cnaphalocrocis rnedinalis）, and stem borers （Scirpophaga incertulas, Chilo suppressalis, S. innotata, C. polychrysus and Sesarnia inferens） were closely related to the long-term excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers. The optimal regime of nitrogen fertilizer in irrigated paddy fields is proposed to improve the fertilizer-nitrogen use efficiency and reduce the environmental pollution.

Effects of silicon amendment on the occurrence of rice insect pests and diseases in a field test

Rice is one of the most important staple foods for the world population,but it is attacked by a number of destructive pests.While evidence from greenhouse and laboratory tests has shown that silicon（Si）amendment can confer enhanced resistance to pests in rice,few studies have directly demonstrated the Si-mediated protection from pests in a field situation.In this study,field plots with silicon amendments at 0,75,150 and 300 kg SiO2 ha-1 in early-and late-season rice were employed to evaluate the effects of silicon amendment on the occurrence of major insect pests and diseases and rice yield.Compared with the control plots without silicon amendment,plant damage by stem borer and leaf folder and population size of planthopper were significantly lower in three to five of the seven monitoring observations in each season in the plots amended with 300 kg SiO2 ha-1.The disease index of rice blast in the early-season rice was lower in the plots amended with Si at 300 kg SiO2 ha-1 than in the control plots,while Si protection from rice blast in the late-season rice and from rice sheath blight in the early-season rice were not apparent.An insignificant increase of rice yield by 16.4%（604 kg ha-1）was observed in the plots amended with 300 kg SiO2 ha-1 over the control plots.Our results indicate that Si amendment at 300kg SiO2 ha-1 can provide substantial protection from some of the rice pests under field conditions.These findings support the recommendation of silicon amendment as a key component of integrated management of rice pests.

Test Bench for the Mechanical Distribution of Predators to Control Insect Pests

In agriculture, chemical insecticides are widely used to protect crops from insect pests. Over a period of years, some insects such as Colorado potato beetle （CPB） succeed in developing resistance to most of the registered chemical insecticides. Consequently, heavy applications of chemical insecticides to control this pest become ineffective on a long-term basis and can lead to serious health and environmental problems. The use of natural enemies to control CPB is an interesting alternative to chemical means However, hand release of predators is not feasible on a large scale in the field. The main objective of this research study was to design and build a test bench to investigate the technical feasibility of mechanically releasing predators. The test bench consisted of a vertical chain conveyor mounted on two vertical shafts driven by an electric motor. Since the predators are small and fragile, they were placed in a specially designed container to preserve their physical integrity. Trials using this test bench showed that a carrier material was required, because most of the predators remained inside the container. The success of this mass predator release system will be highly valuable for the biological control of insect pests in many crops.

Invasion genetics of alien insect pests in China: Research progress and future prospects

An unwelcome side effect of the globalization of the world's economy and dramatic increase in human mobility and trade has been a marked increase in species invasions that have posed severe threats to the ecological, economic, and/or social stability of the introduced regions. In this review, we analyzed the application of molecular markers in invasion genetics of invasive alien insect pests(IAIPs) in China based on a bibliometric survey. Our report discusses the considerable progress that has been made during the past two decades in understanding the invasion genetics of IAIPs in China. We reviewed the major findings in the main topics including the effects of origin and routes of invasion on genetic structure, spatial and temporal genetic changes, factors contributing to the genetic changes of IAIPs, and genetic mechanisms involved in IAIPs' invasions. On the other hand, some of these research areas remain relatively unexplored in China, especially those pertaining to spatial and temporal genetic changes of IAIPs and genetic mechanisms of IAIPs' invasions. Finally, the future research prospects of IAIPs in China are discussed. We hope this review will stimulate an interest in and provide an increased understanding of the field of invasion genetics of IAIPs in China, and provide a basis for future research in this area.

Biological Control of Insect Pests of Agricultural Crops through Habitat Management Was Discussed

Biological control through habitat management leads to sustainable insect pest control. Different types of land composition such as multiple landscapes, patchiness of landscapes enhance the natural enemies which ultimately lead to control of insect pest. Plant characteristics such as flower shape, flower color and blooming period ensures excess food for natural enemies like nectar and pollen. Moreover, some agricultural practices such as tillage, crop rotation, and intercropping influence the natural enemies especially parasitoid and preda-tors. Consequently, they increase longevity and fecundity of parasitoid and predator that help to control insect pest. One of the most important recently used methods is push-pull which consists of semiochemicals called Herbi-vore-Induced Plant Volatiles (HIPVs). This compound has been used to pre-vent pest and attract natural enemies.

Estimation of the potential geographical distribution of a new potato pest(Schrankia costaestrigalis) in China under climate change

Global food security is threatened by the impacts of the spread of crop pests and changes in the complex interactions between crops and pests under climate change.Schrankia costaestrigalis is a newly-reported potato pest in southern China.Early-warning monitoring of this insect pest could protect domestic agriculture as it has already caused regional yield reduction and/or quality decline in potato production.Our research aimed to confirm the potential geographical distributions(PGDs)of S.costaestrigalis in China under different climate scenarios using an optimal MaxEnt model,and to provide baseline data for preventing agricultural damage by S.costaestrigalis.Our findings indicated that the accuracy of the optimal MaxEnt model was better than the default-setting model,and the minimum temperature of the coldest month,precipitation of the driest month,precipitation of the coldest quarter,and the human influence index were the variables significantly affecting the PGDs of S.costaestrigalis.The highly-and moderately-suitable habitats of S.costaestrigalis were mainly located in eastern and southern China.The PGDs of S.costaestrigalis in China will decrease under climate change.The conversion of the highly-to moderately-suitable habitat will also be significant under climate change.The centroid of the suitable habitat area of S.costaestrigalis under the current climate showed a general tendency to move northeast and to the middle-high latitudes in the 2030s.The agricultural practice of plastic film mulching in potato fields will provide a favorable microclimate for S.costaestrigalis in the suitable areas.More attention should be paid to the early warning and monitoring of S.costaestrigalis in order to prevent its further spread in the main areas in China’s winter potato planting regions.

The Predatory Function of Three Spiders to Two Insect Pests in Rice Within a Multi-species Co-existence System

The prey-seeking behavior of three spiders (X1-Pirata subpiraticus, X2-Clubiona japonicola and X3-Tetragnatha japonica) for brown plant hopper (X4-Nilaparvata lugens) and rice spittle bug (X5-Cal-litettix versicolor) was investigated, as well as how interference between and within species occurred, by using a quadratic regression rotational composite design. Six predation models derived from the analysis of interactions among and within predators and preys were developed. The total predatory capacity of spiders on rice insect pests after coexistence for one day can be expressed as follows: Y3 = 32.795 + 2.25X1 + 1.083X2 + 0.5X3 + 10.167X4 + 3.167X5 - 1.67X12 - 2.42X22 - 3.295X32 - 0.045X42 + 0.455X52 - 3.125X1X2 + 0.375X1X3 -0.625X1X4 - 0.375X1X5 + 0.375X2X3 - 0.875X2X4 + 0.125X2X5 + 0.375X3X4 - 0.375X3X5 + 0.125X4X5. The principal efficiency analysis using this model indicated that increases in insect pest density significantly increased predation by predators; this was much greater than the effect of any single predator. X4 had a greater effect than X5; however, X4 and X5 demonstrated little interspecific interference and even promoted each other and increased predation rates as the densities of the two pests increased. Among the three predators, an increase in the density of X, had the greatest effect on the increase in predation, X3 had the second, X2 the third greatest effect. As predator density increased inter- and intra-species interference occurred, which were largely related to the size, activity, niche breadth, niche overlap and searching efficiency of the predators. X2 produced the greatest interference between different individuals and between any other predator species. X3 had the second greatest, which reduced predation levels at high predator densities. Because of these factors, the highest predation rate was obtained at a prey density of 120 per 4 rice-hills. The optimal proportion of the three predators in the multi-predator prey system was X1: X2: X3 = 5.6:1.3:4.1.

A Stably Transgenic INA Enterobacter cloacae for Control of Insect Pests

Using the minitransposon pMini-Tn5 and the ice-nucleation active (INA) gene of iceA, a suicide recombinant plasmid pTnice1 was constructed, which has the ability of broad-host-range conjugal mobilization and integration of iceA into chromosomal DNA of many gram-negative bacteria by Tn5 transposition. We used this plasmid to integrate the iceA into chromosomal DNA of Ent. cloacae and obtained the transgentic strain Enc1.2022 ina. In this transgenic Ent. cloacae, iceA would never be transferred elsewhere through transposition, and constantly expressed high ice nucleation activity even in the absence of antibiotic pressure. The transgenic strain was ingested by corn borer larvae. Over the 7 d after ingestion, the mean supercooling points (SCPs) of the larvae was about 10℃ higher than those of larvae treated with distilled water (control). The maintenance of these high SCPs was related to the stable gut colonization of transgenic strain. At 6th day post ingestion, the larva was exposed at 5 or 7℃ for 12 h, the percentages of larvae frozen to death were 85 and 100%, respectively. In contrast, none or a small proportion of control larvae was frozen to death under the same conditions. Further studies demonstrated that this transgenic strain bore weak epiphytic ability. Therefore, this genetically engineered strain may be a promising candidate for control of insect pests in agricultural fields.

A Brief Introduction of Main Diseases and Insect Pests in Soybean Production in the Global Top Five Soybean Producing Countries

The United States, Brazil, Argentina, India and China are the major soybean producing countries in the world. Nearly 90% of the world^s soybean production comes from these countries. The occurrence of diseases and insect pests often lead to the reduction of soybean yield, and brings varying degree losses to these countries. This article provides an overview of the impact and measures on soybean main diseases and insect pests in the top five major soybean producing countries over the world. It is concluded that the diseases affecting the soybean yield seriously include Phakopsorapachyrhizi, Heterodera glycines, Septoria glycines, Colletotrichum spp. and Macrophominaphaseolina; and the main insect pests include Anticarsia gemmatalis, Spodoptera litura, Nezara viridula and Frankliniella occidentalis, which will provide information for key prevention and control of soybean main diseases and insect pests in these countries.

Determinants of species assemblages of insect pests in alpine forest ecosystems of western China

Background:Insect pests are a significant threat to natural resources and social development.Modeling species assemblages of insect pests can predict spatiotemporal pest dynamics.However,research gaps remain regarding the mechanism for determining species assemblages of insect pests in alpine forest ecosystems.Here,we explored these determinants using a field investigation conducted for insect pests in a region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.We assessed the species assemblages of insect pests in alpine forest ecosystems based on species co-occurrence patterns and species diversity(i.e.,observed diversity,dark diversity,community completeness,and species pool).A probabilistic model was used to test for statistically significant pairwise patterns of species co-occurrence using the presence-absence matrix of pest species based on species interactions.We used ordinary least squares regression modeling to explore relationships between abiotic factors(i.e.,climate factors and human influence)and species diversity.Results:Positive pest species interactions and many association links can occur widely across different investigation sites and parts of plant hosts in alpine forest ecosystems.We detected high dark diversity and low community completeness of insect pests in alpine forest ecosystems.High temperature and precipitation could promote pest species diversity,particularly dark diversity and species pools.Human influence could drive high levels of pest species diversity and lead to dark diversity and species pools.Community completeness could be an effective indicator for insect pest risk assessment.Conclusions:Our study provides new evidence for the determinants of insect pest species assemblages in alpine forest ecosystems from the perspectives of pest species interactions and abiotic factors.The findings of our study could reveal the mechanism for shaping species assemblages and support the prevention and control of insect pests in alpine forest ecosystems.

A New Strategy of Insect Pest Control:Down-regulating Cotton Bollworm Gene Expression by Engineering Plant Double Stranded RNA

Cotton bollworm(Helicoverpa armigera) is an important agricultural pest that causes severe yield loss to crops,particularly to cotton.Transgenic Bt crops have been successful in

Occurrence and Control of Main Soybean Diseases and Insect Pests in Greater Mekong Sub-region

Soybean rust,soybean downy mildew,and soybean thrips,soybean pod borers,and soybean nocturnal moths are the world wide diseases and insect pests in soybean production,which pose a potential threat to soybean production in Great Mekong Sub-region（ GMS）,comprising Cambodia,Lao People＇s Democratic Republic,Myanmar,Thailand,Vietnam,and Yunnan province,the People＇s Republic of China. This paper summarized the host range,epidemiology,damage and control methods of these diseases and insect pests in GMS,with the aim to provide information basis for understanding and effective control of soybean diseases and insect pests in GMS.

Diversity of Insect Pest and Predator Species in Monsoon and Summer Rice Fields of Taungoo Environs, Myanmar

Paddy fields are natural and artificial wetland ecosystems that supply rice for the people and provide the wildlife especially insect diversity of different functional aspects. A total of 71 insect species belonging to 40 families under eight orders were observed during the study period. Among the 71 insect species, 18 species of beetles, nine species of bugs, eight species of dragonfly, five species of butterflies, four species of leafhoppers, plant hoppers and moths, three borer and spiders, two crickets, one species of skippers, grass hopper, hispa, ant, weevil, hairy caterpillar, leaf roller, katydid, thrips, maggot and water boatmen were recorded in the study sites. Total of 41 species of pests, 18 species of predators and 12 species of beneficial species (they function as pollinating the flowering plants in the paddy field wetland ecosystem) were recorded in the study sites. In the monsoon season, the 41 species of pest species, 18 species of predator species and 12 species of beneficial species were recorded from monsoon rice field. According to Shannon Evenness value (H'/S = -0.012564), the data showed that the insect species recorded from the one habitat was not the similar to another. In summer paddy fields, 36 species of pest species, 16 species of predator species and 9 species of beneficial species were recorded. Total arthropod insect species were recorded 61 species from the dry rice fields. According to Shannon Evenness value (H'/S = -0.000120), the data showed that the insect species recorded from the one habitat was not the similar to another. Population growth and duration of life cycle of insects is mainly dominated by the temperature, the duration of life cycle is shorter in the high temperature than in the low temperature.