GreenTech award recognizes trap system

Trap-Eye, an automated sticky trap monitoring system, has received recognition by winning the GreenTech Innovation Award.

Launched at GreenTech Amsterdam 2023, Biobest’s sticky trap monitoring system employs artificial intelligence to make Integrated Pest Management (IPM) scouting automated, accurate, fast and affordable, according to a news release.

The trademarked system includes a web-based dashboard for insect trap monitoring and provides growers with a full overview of the pest situation in the greenhouse and other locations from anywhere, according to the release.

“Developed in collaboration with PATS, we’re delighted our Trap-Eye monitoring system has won the Innovation Award,” Sam Gui, Biobest’s market development manager high tech IPM, said in the release. “Solar powered, the fully automated Trap-Eye system devices take pictures of sticky traps and use AI network analyses to identify and count most common flying insects.”

Trap-Eye augments the accuracy and depth of data, facilitating more precise IPM decisions, according to the release. By generating accurate heat maps pinpointing pest hotspots, introductions of beneficials can be concentrated appropriately, greatly improving IPM performance, according to the release.

Marcel Verbeek, a Biobest adviser, is overseeing the first installation at a tomato nursery in the West of the Netherlands. In 2022, Trap-Eye was installed in 2.5 acres of a 10 acre artificially lit crop. Within two months, the grower extended the system to 7 acres, according to the release. “The team has found it easy to install, simple to use and the detailed heat maps extremely useful for making informed IPM decisions – with data easily shared amongst team members and with Biobest advisors remotely,” Verbeek said in the release.

“Trap-Eye is an important step towards our goal to automate and optimize data collection,” Gui said in the release. “Good IPM actions follow from data-driven advice. By helping to control pests earlier Trap-Eye helps minimize production losses while reducing the need for chemical insecticides. Ultimately, our high-tech system is set to reduce scouting costs, while at the same time optimize crop yields and quality – delivering a good return on investment.”

Belgium-based Biobest Group provides growers a wide range of biological control and pollination products.