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Insect-Tracking Drones to Boost Rare Bug Conservation in New Zealand

Phil Mercer

   SYDNEY - A"swarm"of bug-tracking drones and tiny radars are being
   developed to help conservation of rare insects in New Zealand.

   Thenew tag-and-track technology is being developed at the University of
   Canterburyon New Zealand's South Island.

   Researchers hope it could lead to a deeper understanding of New
   Zealand's threatened and endangered insects.

   The research draws on years of experiencein the area ofbird
   conservation, where radio tracking methods have helped to protect many
   vulnerable species.

   Experts have said that at a stretch the technology could also be used
   to study large invertebrates such as giant landsnails butwas simply too
   big and heavy for most insects.

   Researchers havenowmade about 20 tiny so-called harmonic radar tags
   that are fitted to insects.They would then be tracked by a "swarm" of
   drones.

   Steve Pawson, from the university's College of Engineering, says
   bird-tracking technology has been a major inspiration.

   "They have been doing radio tracking on many of these species over
   several decades now and the information that they learn from that
   really informs the conservation management.So, understanding how far do
   these things move, where do they go foraging, what are their
   foragingbehaviors?Even things as simple as how long things live
   for.Unfortunately, the radio tracking technologies that are out thereat
   the momentare too heavy to use on small insects.There is only a handful
   of our heaviest insects that can carry those and so we are really
   limited in our understanding of how invertebrates are moving through
   the environment, and if we have that knowledge then we can incorporate
   it in our decision making and our planning for conservation management
   operations,"Pawson said.

   Trials will start on ground-based insects before the New Zealand team
   tries to tackle the complexities of tracking insects in flight.Field
   testing could begin in 2023.

   Academics have said the study could also have applications in other
   disciplines,from biosecurity to medical imaging.

   Among New Zealand's endangered insects is the iconicWÄtÄ.They are one
   of the South Pacific nation's mostrecognizablecreatures with their
   large bodies,spinylegs, and curved tusks.

   Several species ofWÄtÄare under threat from predation by birds and
   reptiles, and habitat loss.

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