UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM FOR

RELEASE OF STERILE PINK

BOLLWORM OVER COTTON FIELDS

IN ARIZONA, USA

USDA, APHIS, PPQ, CPHST, USDA, APHIS, PPQ, PBW Rearing Facility, Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council, and

M3 Consulting Group, LLC

PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH

 To identify a rapid response method to deliver sterile pink bollworm to the cotton field in case of a reinfestation. Limitations included:

 Need for rapid response (days not months)

 Small numbers of sterile moths available until the rearing facility could

increase production (as stated in Post Eradication Plan) so must be efficient

 Readily available, on call

 Affordable

 Effective – deliver healthy moths

 Reliable

DESCRIPTION OF RESEARCH

Sterile APHIS mass reared, sterile moths were released by 3 methods in 3 areas of Central Arizona

 Cessna 206 with standard release machine

 Hand release by 2 people walking each field

 Unmanned Aircraft System

Release rate for each field: 250 moths/acre/day

Moths were released 3 times per week for 2 weeks

Baited Delta traps were placed in each field and collected each week.

The complete system – The Desert Cardinal aircraft, with release tubes under each wing. On the tripod is a camera that tracks the aircraft using a

transponder. On the table is a laptop computer with software that allows the pilot to set a flight path for the aircraft including instructions on where in the

cotton field to release the insects. Once

the aircraft has taken off, it typically conducts its mission on autopilot. On the table to the right of the laptop is a manual controller, used if needed. On

the ground is a toolbox; the aircraft is

transported with the wings off and is quickly reconstructed on site (10 minutes). (Photo courtesy of M3 Consulting Group)

RESULTS – WE ARE STILL EVALUATING THE DATA FROM VARIOUS ASPECTS

All methods delivered moths to the cotton fields. The moths responded to pheromone

traps with no significant differences between

release methods.

Hand release took more time to accomplish the task.

 The Cessna 206 cost more.

DISCUSSION

 Unmanned aircraft systems are a promising tool for releasing sterile pink bollworm moths

 Next steps:

 Build or acquire a launch mechanism. Dirt roads are unreliable surfaces for take of from the ground and resulted in losing a load of sterile moths on one occasion. Landing is not a problem but a good launch is critical

 Improved release tubes – we had escapes from the tubes prior to release. it was not critical but we believe we can do better

 Improved means of controlled refrigerated transport to the field. Data

indicated that occasionally the moths were at too cold a temperature.

 We need to research the optimal release temperature for unmanned systems, since they fly slower (35 mph) and release lower (300 feet)