Experts from aerospace engineering in MIT and Anna University designed drones to trap swarms of locusts.
Design of drone:
- The drones carried net so that they could catch the locusts using that.
- Pesticide tanks that are larger in size is also attached with the drones.
- The drones are fitted with thermal imaging cameras to spot the locusts even in dark using the heat waves created by the insect.
Working of drone:
- The drone is made to fly at an altitude of 300 metre carrying a repelling payload as which maps the density of the locust.
- The ground vehicles carry the traps and the locust attracting agents.
- Depending on the density of the locust and the location, the traps keeps moving.
- On siting the swarm of locust, the net is ejected automatically and captures the locusts.
Concept behind the trap:
When the fish discovers some food then they move together to catch that and these locusts behave the same. The swarm of locusts get trapped at a time using these drones when they attract towards the locust attracting agents.
Purpose of locusts:
The purpose behind preparing drones are:
- Locusts are rich in protein which can be used as substitute in products.
- Can be used to make organic fertilizers and poultry feed.
Nowadays, Drones play an increased role in many sectors. These drones built by Anna university is indeed an useful tool to trap locusts. Measures are taken by the state government to monitor the locusts and extend support to the farmers.
Anna University’s drone to catch locusts: