A next generation smart insect trap combining novel sensors, targeted attractants and remote AI for enhanced pest detection and alerts

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Increasing global temperatures, rising urban populations and international travel/trade have resulted in growing populations of pests and non native pest outbreaks. Bed bugs in particular pose a growing challenge with 80% hotels in the U.S reporting infestations in 2018, costing ~$23K/infestation with growing pesticide resistant strains --fuelling demand for improved monitoring and trapping technologies to tackle infestations.Through the combination of novel aggregation pheromone formulations, a unique sensor array design and machine learning, Arctech Innovation (leading SME developer of natural disease and pest control products) aim to address this global pest challenge with a solution that not only seeks to enhance attraction and trapping of pests but also confirms the presence of defined pest/vector species through the use of pheromone-based identification. The approach also overcomes the known limitations of other available smart systems which rely heavily on the use of hardware (eg cameras/GPS with sensors to detect pests) with high power demands, high costs and limitations in pest classification.Allowing for a more rapid and lower cost methodology for targeted insect detection at an early, treatable stage, the approach is truly scalable, the arising data also providing significant value for wider pest management programmes including species identification/outbreak modelling with future application in outdoor environments, notably targeting mosquitoes which account for \>17% of all infectious diseases globally.Arctech are well placed to complete the planned 18-month project which builds on established IP in natural test lure for bed bugs and an odour-based diagnostic as well as an established network of leading pest control companies. The receipt of Innovate UK support will accelerate development at a time where new solutions are actively sought globally.