Apparatus and methods for monitoring the emergence of soil pests in a two plant system are disclosed. In one embodiment, an emergence cage covers at least a portion of the root system of two plants. The emergence cage includes a frame defining a perimeter, a mesh or screen covering attached to the frame, a first plant opening configured to receive the first plant, a second plant opening configured to receive the second plant, and a collection container for collecting the pest of interest. The pests emerging from the ground under the cage are collected in the collection container, and the number collected is periodically determined.

The invention relates to methods of trapping a pest, said method comprising providing ferromagnetic particles for ingestion by the pest, and trapping the pest using one or more magnets, wherein a trapped pest has ingested and internally accumulated an amount of the ferromagnetic particles sufficient to permit immobilization of the pest using said one or more magnets. Devices for use with the methods of the instant invention are also disclosed.

The invention relates to methods of trapping a pest, said method comprising providing ferromagnetic particles for ingestion by the pest, and trapping the pest using one or more magnets, wherein a trapped pest has ingested and internally accumulated an amount of the ferromagnetic particles sufficient to permit immobilization of the pest using said one or more magnets. Devices for use with the methods of the instant invention are also disclosed.

A system for dispensing crop input products from multiple meters per crop row, including: a) a georeferencing module configured to receive and process georeferenced location information; b) a prescriptive control module configured to receive the processed georeferenced location information from the georeferencing module and utilize the georeferenced location information to generate specific prescriptive rate information for individual meters in the field; and, c) a meter controller module operatively connected to the prescriptive control module. The meter controller module is configured to utilize the specific prescriptive rate information to individually control multiple meters per crop row, to simultaneously dispense crop input products at specific prescriptive rates at georeferenced locations throughout the field.

A system for dispensing crop input products from multiple meters per crop row, including: a) a georeferencing module configured to receive and process georeferenced location information; b) a prescriptive control module configured to receive the processed georeferenced location information from the georeferencing module and utilize the georeferenced location information to generate specific prescriptive rate information for individual meters in the field; and, c) a meter controller module operatively connected to the prescriptive control module. The meter controller module is configured to utilize the specific prescriptive rate information to individually control multiple meters per crop row, to simultaneously dispense crop input products at specific prescriptive rates at georeferenced locations throughout the field.

A decoy actuating apparatus includes a decoy line actuating mechanism having a mechanism housing and a mechanism housing interior in the mechanism housing. A catch pin track is in the mechanism housing and communicates with the mechanism housing interior. The catch pin track has a line engaging track portion and a line disengaging track portion. A catch pin plate is disposed for rotation in the mechanism housing interior of the mechanism housing. A plate drive motor drivingly engages the catch pin plate for rotation. A catch pin slot is in the catch pin plate. An actuating line space is between the catch pin plate and the mechanism housing. A catch pin is disposed for sliding displacement in the catch pin slot of the catch pin plate and interfaces with the catch pin track. The catch pin is deployed in a line catching position and protrudes into the actuating line space when engaging the line engaging track portion. The catch pin is deployed in a line releasing position and clears the actuating line space when engaging the line disengaging track portion of the catch pin track. A decoy actuating line extends through the actuating line space. The decoy actuating line can be attached to a decoy to pull and release the waterfowl decoy and impart a lifelike feeding or diving motion to the decoy.

A decoy actuating apparatus includes a decoy line actuating mechanism having a mechanism housing and a mechanism housing interior in the mechanism housing. A catch pin track is in the mechanism housing and communicates with the mechanism housing interior. The catch pin track has a line engaging track portion and a line disengaging track portion. A catch pin plate is disposed for rotation in the mechanism housing interior of the mechanism housing. A plate drive motor drivingly engages the catch pin plate for rotation. A catch pin slot is in the catch pin plate. An actuating line space is between the catch pin plate and the mechanism housing. A catch pin is disposed for sliding displacement in the catch pin slot of the catch pin plate and interfaces with the catch pin track. The catch pin is deployed in a line catching position and protrudes into the actuating line space when engaging the line engaging track portion. The catch pin is deployed in a line releasing position and clears the actuating line space when engaging the line disengaging track portion of the catch pin track. A decoy actuating line extends through the actuating line space. The decoy actuating line can be attached to a decoy to pull and release the waterfowl decoy and impart a lifelike feeding or diving motion to the decoy.

A multi-purpose on-board system for automating the process of releasing different biological precision pest control materials using, but not limited to, unmanned aerial vehicles (or drones). The system includes multi-purpose high-performance electronic equipment (hardware), a dedicated or shared GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO in the aircraft and four different dedicated electromechanical release assemblies, specifically: a loose parasitic egg release assembly (BioBOT), a loose mass release assembly (BioCOTe), a live material (mite) release assembly (BioMITe), and a powdered beneficial fungus release assembly (BioFUNgus). The system enables full compliance throughout the biological control chain, including production, monitoring, integrated digital planning, controlled precision release and generation of reliable reports.

A pest detection device including a capacitive sensor having a plurality of traces that can be capacitively sensed using self-capacitance or mutual capacitance measurements. The sensor including conductive shield traces to facilitate a number of sensing applications. The sensor including a coated portion to facilitate crawling of pests over the sensing area of the circuit board.

A pest detection device including a capacitive sensor having a plurality of traces that can be capacitively sensed using self-capacitance or mutual capacitance measurements. The sensor including conductive shield traces to facilitate a number of sensing applications. The sensor including a coated portion to facilitate crawling of pests over the sensing area of the circuit board.