More than 40% of insect species are in dramatic decline globally and the total mass of insects is falling by 2.5% a year. This will endanger plant species reliant up on pollinator services, including numerous agricultural ones with concomitant consequences for global food security. The repercussions for the planet's ecosystems are catastrophic, as insects are at the structural and functional base of many of the world's ecosystems and yet we know very little about how they move and forage in the environment. This project is a critical milestone towards the commercialization of a breakthrough technology born and bred in Bangor University, Wales and developed with our industry partner S&A Fresh Produce Ltd (https://www.sagroup.global): an automated insect tracking system of insect pollinators, such as bees and their predator the Asian hornet. Tracking the hornet will allow nest detection and subsequent pest control which will help protect soft fruit industry workers and the public from the harmful consequences of encountering Asian hornets. We propose to make insect telemetry fit for the 21st century, in order to answer multiple fundamental questions about how pollinators operate in space.
External Partners: S&A Fresh Produce Ltd

Funding awarded through the Bangor University Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £49,713