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
Hand

206 with standard release machine

release by 2 people walking each field

Unmanned

Release
Moths

Baited

Aircraft System

rate for each field: 250 moths/acre/day

were released 3 times per week for 2 weeks

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)