Novel Noise-Robust Optoacoustic Sensors to Identify Insects Through Wingbeats

Abstract

For certain countries, the production of olive oil and fruits is a significant percentage of the total gross income. Fruit flies affect a yearly crop loss calculated in billions of dollars worldwide. At the top of the hazard scale, certain mosquitoes and flies transmit harmful organisms that cause serious illnesses and even death to humans, pets, and livestock. In this paper, we develop a novel, noise-robust optoacoustic sensors to record insects' wingbeats. Our experiments with various insects of economic and social importance demonstrate that the sensors deliver high SNR recordings of the wing-flap. This paper emphasizes the development of the sensors and successfully analyzes the wingbeats of many insects of economic importance. Accurate analysis of insects' wing-flaps will allow the embedding of the sensors in common traps. The goal is to achieve species classification and remote monitoring of crops, which is currently carried out manually, and to develop reliable decision making regarding the initiation of large-scale spraying.