Aerial release of Rhinoncomimus latipes (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) to control Persicaria perfoliata (Polygonaceae) using an unmanned aerial system

作者：Park Yong-Lak^*; Gururajan Srikanth; Thistle Harold; Chandran Rakesh; Reardon Richard

来源：Pest Management Science, 2018, 74(1): 141-148.

DOI：10.1002/ps.4670

• unmanned aerial system
• mile-a-minute weed
• biological control
• invasive plants

BACKGROUNDRhinoncomimus latipes (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a major biological control agent against the invasive plant Persicaria perfoliata. Release of R. latipes is challenging with the current visit-and-hand release approach because P. perfoliata shows a high degree of patchiness in the landscape, possesses recurved barbs on its stems, and often spreads into hard-to-access areas. This 3-year study developed and evaluated unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for precise aerial release of R. latipes to control P. perfoliata.
RESULTSWe have developed two UAS (i.e. quad-rotor and tri-rotor) and an aerial release system to disseminate R. latipes. These include pods containing R. latipes and a dispenser to accommodate eight pods. Results of field tests to evaluate the systems showed no significant (P>0.05) effects on survivorship and feeding ability of R. latipes after aerial release.
CONCLUSIONOur study demonstrates the potential of UAS for precision aerial release of biological control agents to control invasive plants. The aerial deployment systems we have developed, including both pods and a dispenser, are low cost, logistically practical, and effective with no negative effects on aerially released R. latipes.

• 出版日期2018-1