Exterminator for the Nests of Vespa velutina nigrithorax Using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Vespa velutina nigrithorax, a species of hornet, is spreading globally, with increasingly negative effects on human health. To effectively eliminate V. velutina, its nest should be destroyed and its queen removed; however, the nests are difficult to reach. Thus, we analyzed the requirements for a dr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Drones (Basel) 2023-04, Vol.7 (4), p.281
Main Authors: Lee, Chun-Gu, Yu, Seung-Hwa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actuators
Additives
Altitude
Asian hornet
Bees
Design
drone
Field tests
Hazardous materials
Laboratory tests
Methods
pest control
Pesticides
Physical tests
Projectiles
pyrethrum
Spraying
spraying system
Systems design
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Vespa velutina nigrithorax
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Summary:Vespa velutina nigrithorax, a species of hornet, is spreading globally, with increasingly negative effects on human health. To effectively eliminate V. velutina, its nest should be destroyed and its queen removed; however, the nests are difficult to reach. Thus, we analyzed the requirements for a drone-assisted hornet exterminator using field observations and physical tests on a sample hornets’ nest, and based on these, a UAV exterminator equipped with a nest-perforating device (based on an airsoft rifle) and pesticide-spraying system was designed and manufactured. Pesticides and bullets were manufactured using ecofriendly materials. An actuator at the rear of the device adjusted the pitch of the perforator and sprayer, and a monitoring system was installed to aid the operator in targeting. The operating parameters of the UAV exterminator were evaluated in laboratory tests, with a spray distance of 5 m deemed suitable. To evaluate the system’s pest-control performance, several V. velutina nests were targeted in field tests. An insecticidal effect of over 99% was achieved using two pyrethrum-based pesticides (15% pyrethrum extract and 10% pyrethrum extract with additives). In addition, compared to conventional nest-removal methods, the UAV exterminator reduced the work time by 85% and the cost by 54.9%.
ISSN:2504-446X
2504-446X
DOI:10.3390/drones7040281