A discrete and safe automated insect monitoring system includes a housing, an interior chamber within the housing, and a light source arranged within the housing to illuminate at least a portion of a floor surface of the interior chamber. A multi-pixel optical sensor is arranged within the housing so that a field of view of the sensor comprehends a substantial portion of the floor surface. A processing circuit arranged within the housing receives optical data from the multi-pixel optical sensor, analyzes the optical data to detect the intrusion of an insect or other object into the interior chamber by comparing most recently received optical data to previously received optical data, and generates an indication in response to detecting the intrusion of an insect or other object. Detection and/or classification results can be wirelessly forwarded to another device, to alert appropriate personnel.

Insect storage and dispensing system are described. An example system may include a dispensing container including at least one wall defining an interior volume for retaining a plurality of adult insects. The system may also include a piston that extends through a first opening of the dispensing container so as to expose a top face of the piston to the interior volume. Longitudinal movement of the piston toward a second opening of the dispensing container may dispense a portion of the plurality of insects from the dispensing container when the plurality of insects is retained in the dispensing container.

Methods of Amaranthus control are provided, comprising, artificially pollinating an Amaranthus species at a growth area with an effective amount of pollen that reduces fitness of the at least one Amaranthus species, the effective amount comprising 1 mg to 1 gram per plant per application using a precision tool-assisted application or 10 gram to 100 kg per acre per application using a non-precision tool-assisted application during a flowering season of the Amaranthus species.

Methods of Amaranthus control are provided, comprising, artificially pollinating an Amaranthus species at a growth area with an effective amount of pollen that reduces fitness of the at least one Amaranthus species, the effective amount comprising 1 mg to 1 gram per plant per application using a precision tool-assisted application or 10 gram to 100 kg per acre per application using a non-precision tool-assisted application during a flowering season of the Amaranthus species.

A constricting collar and method of use that provides for a means of humane end of life for a condemned individual or an individual making an end of life decision where it is legal to do so. The collar is openable and closeable to be fixed around a person's neck. The collar has a cushion at the back of the neck and a constricting member at the front. Various means can be employed to trigger the constricting member to move toward the cushion at the back of the neck, such as a screw, a screw gear, a rack and pinion gear, and an inflatable air cartridge. The method of use includes the administration of a tranquilizing agent after placement of the collar around a person's neck after which the constricting action can be activated either through a remote or a button on the collar itself or in the case of the inflatable mechanism, the application of air through a cylinder.

A constricting collar and method of use that provides for a means of humane end of life for a condemned individual or an individual making an end of life decision where it is legal to do so. The collar is openable and closeable to be fixed around a person's neck. The collar has a cushion at the back of the neck and a constricting member at the front. Various means can be employed to trigger the constricting member to move toward the cushion at the back of the neck, such as a screw, a screw gear, a rack and pinion gear, and an inflatable air cartridge. The method of use includes the administration of a tranquilizing agent after placement of the collar around a person's neck after which the constricting action can be activated either through a remote or a button on the collar itself or in the case of the inflatable mechanism, the application of air through a cylinder.

Systems and methods for controlling a population of a pest are provided. A computer implemented method for controlling a population of a pest can include receiving population data describing a presence of a pest in a host environment at a first time. The method can include receiving environmental data describing the host environment over a prediction horizon including and temporally after the first time. The method can include generating an intervention action for the first time using the population data and the environmental data as inputs to a control model configured to output the intervention action as part of an optimization of the presence of the pest over the prediction horizon. The method can also include outputting the intervention action.

Devices and methods for pest control, including devices useful to place pest control devices at locations of use such as at a crop (e.g., at a branch of a tree), certain embodiments of devices including a capsule and a tether that can become tangled or caught in a tree or other crop location.

Devices and methods for pest control, including devices useful to place pest control devices at locations of use such as at a crop (e.g., at a branch of a tree), certain embodiments of devices including a capsule and a tether that can become tangled or caught in a tree or other crop location.

An insect catching device may include at least two insect capture surfaces, a first surface including a first color, and a second surface including a second, lighter color relative to the first color of the first surface. The second color of the second surface may highlight the presence of insects captured thereon facilitating at least one of ease of counting and ease of identification of captured insects. The insect catching device may also include a line of weakening disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The line of weakening may include at least one perforation. The second surface may be detachable from the first surface along the line of weakening. The first color may be configured to decrease visibility of captured insects on the first surface observable by a viewer through an insect trap cover.