Connected tools for pest monitoring: feedback from SIVAL

Monitor pests to optimize management strategies

This talk, presented at SIVAL 2025 by the Pays de la Loire Chamber of Agriculture, highlighted the use of connected traps to detect and monitor pests in various Sectors. Pest monitoring is essential for assessing the health status of plots and adjusting protective interventions. Conventional methods include direct observation of plants and various types of trapping, such as sex pheromone traps and chromatic traps.

Conventional traps can be used to identify pest flight periods, but monitoring them is laborious and time-consuming. The use of connected traps saves considerable time by limiting travel and improving the accuracy of observations. Thanks to autonomous solar-powered devices, these tools provide data in real time, facilitating risk management for farms.

Experiments on connected traps and their results

Trials carried out on field crops have made it possible to test a specific connected trap on codling moths and sesamum moths. The device caught a significant number of moths, with an accuracy rate of over 95% for the sesamia, whereas classification errors were observed for the codling moth, due to poor trap positioning. These encouraging results open up new prospects for refining these technologies.

In arboriculture, the monitoring of apple aphid was tested using connected traps. The aim was to reduce the need for phytosanitary treatments by optimizing the timing of their application. The results showed that strategic positioning of the traps improved insect detection and facilitated identification.

Review and outlook for the adoption of connected tools

In market gardening, the use of connected traps to monitor Tuta absoluta has enabled better anticipation of population peaks and optimization of auxiliary releases. These tools also improve monitoring of pest population dynamics under cover, reducing uncertainty in control strategies.

The benefits of these technologies include time-saving plot monitoring, more accurate observations and greater responsiveness on the part of growers. However, certain challenges remain, notably acquisition and subscription costs, and the need to improve the sharpness of images captured for certain species. Despite these constraints, these systems offer interesting prospects for improving crop protection strategies and anticipating climate-related changes.

Speakers

LOLA SEREE - AB and environment research and innovation officer - Pays de la Loire Chamber of Agriculture

NADIA TOUNSI - Fruit-growing advisor - Pays de la Loire Chamber of Agriculture

MAXIME CHABALIER - Market gardening consultant - Pays de la Loire Chamber of Agriculture

ADELINE CHASTRUSSE - Head of Arable Crops Department - Ecophyto - Pays de la Loire Chamber of Agriculture

PAULINE ARDOIS - Ecophyto coordinator - Pays de la Loire Chamber of Agriculture