Monitoring System for <i>Leucoptera malifoliella</i> (O. Costa, 1836) and Its Damage Based on Artificial Neural Networks

The pear leaf blister moth is a significant pest in apple orchards. It causes damage to apple leaves by forming circular mines. Its control depends on monitoring two events: the flight of the first generation and the development of mines up to 2 mm in size. Therefore, the aim of this study was to de...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Dana Čirjak, Ivan Aleksi, Ivana Miklečić, Ana Marija Antolković, Rea Vrtodušić, Antonio Viduka, Darija Lemic, Tomislav Kos, Ivana Pajač Živković
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-12-01
Series:Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/1/67
Description
Summary:The pear leaf blister moth is a significant pest in apple orchards. It causes damage to apple leaves by forming circular mines. Its control depends on monitoring two events: the flight of the first generation and the development of mines up to 2 mm in size. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop two models using artificial neural networks (ANNs) and two monitoring devices with cameras for the early detection of <i>L</i>. <i>malifoliella</i> (Pest Monitoring Device) and its mines on apple leaves (Vegetation Monitoring Device). To train the ANNs, 400 photos were collected and processed. There were 4700 annotations of <i>L</i>. <i>malifoliella</i> and 1880 annotations of mines. The results were processed using a confusion matrix. The accuracy of the model for the Pest Monitoring Device (camera in trap) was more than 98%, while the accuracy of the model for the Vegetation Monitoring Device (camera for damage) was more than 94%, all other parameters of the model were also satisfactory. The use of this comprehensive system allows reliable monitoring of pests and their damage in real-time, leading to targeted pest control, reduction in pesticide residues, and a lower ecological footprint. Furthermore, it could be adopted for monitoring other Lepidopteran pests in crop production.
ISSN:2077-0472