A cheap electronic sensor automated trap for monitoring the flight activity period of moths

Automated pheromone dispensers disrupt the mating behaviour of pest moths by releasing during their daily activity period, which is not same for all target species. These periods usually occur in or close to night time and last just a few hours, so automated sampling devices are needed characterize them. However, commercially available models do provide enough temporal resolution characterizing short diel sexual moths. Thus, we built tested relatively cheap simple high-temporal-resolution image-sensor insect trap. It consisted Raspberry Pi computer with an infrared camera operated open-source software housed plastic box. The was powered solar panel rechargeable battery that were mounted on solid weather-proof structure made materials. Pictures downloaded WiFi from Raspberry's SD card computer. Six traps baited either synthetic sex females Grapholita molesta (Busk) field. sturdy, reliable easy use, taking pictures at 10 min intervals, 24 h day over two months. confirmed previous results regarding period oriental fruit moth, will aid determining optimal operating dispensers.