Pest monitoring device

Abstract

To provide a pest monitoring device that has a simple structure and excellent maintainability, and can keep monitoring accuracy for pests.SOLUTION: A pest monitoring device A1 for monitoring pests P comprises: a pest attracting killing part 10 in which an attracting killing space S1 for attracting and killing the pests P is partitioned, and comprising attracting means 12 for attracting the pests P into the attracting killing space S1, and a pesticide 13 for killing the pests P attracted by the attracting means 12; a pest photographing part 20 in which a photographing space S2 for photographing the pests P attracted and killed by the pest attracting killing part 10 is partitioned; and photographing means 30 for photographing the pest P existing in the photographing space S2 of the pest photographing part 20. The attracting killing space S1 and the photographing space S2 are separated in the device while the pests P attracted and killed can move from the attracting killing space S1 to the photographing space S2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pest monitoring device.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, for crops and the like, information regarding the number of pests (appearance number), i.e., where, when, what kind of pests are present, and how many, is fundamental information for pest control and understanding their ecology. If such information is obtained, it is possible to understand the behavior ecology of pests and determine the appropriate timing for control, and this information can also be used for making decisions on issuing warning information regarding pests.

[0003] For example, crop damage caused by a large outbreak of Spodoptera litura has become a global problem. In Japan as well, a large outbreak of the brown planthopper has caused significant damage to rice cultivation. In particular, due to recent climate change and the like, the occurrence of new migratory pests such as the beet armyworm is also regarded as a problem. Therefore, accurately monitoring the occurrence of these pests and leading to appropriate control is an important technical issue in agricultural technology.

[0004] As a method for monitoring pests, for example, there is a method of using a pheromone agent that has the effect of specifically attracting male of a specific pest to attract and capture pests and count or measure the number of captured pests. Various pest monitoring devices using this pheromone agent have been proposed.

[0005] For example, there is a pest monitoring device with a simple structure in which a pheromone agent is only installed in a plastic container or an adhesive board. In this device, the pests attracted into the container or stuck to the adhesive board are visually counted, and then the pests are discarded, and the occurrence trend of pests is investigated by repeating this action.

[0006] However, with the above-mentioned device, researchers need to physically go to the survey site to visually count the number of captured pests. Therefore, due to the labor involved, surveys can only be conducted at intervals of 5 to 7 days, making it impossible to obtain more detailed information on the pest situation (e.g., on a daily basis).

[0007] To address the above problems, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a pest measuring device equipped with an automatic shutter, and below the automatic shutter, an insect trapping box and an automatic scale for weighing the amount of insects caught. In this device, the number of insects caught is determined from the amount of insects caught measured at a time specified by CPU control.

[0008] Patent Document 2 proposes an insect trapping device comprising at least one pair of electrodes for generating an electric discharge, a voltage application means for applying a predetermined voltage between the electrodes, and an ejection mechanism for ejecting insects from between the electrodes by moving at least one of the pair of electrodes. In this device, insects attracted into the device are killed by electric discharge (electric shock), this discharge is detected, and the cumulative number of discharges is used as the number of insects caught.

[0009] Non-patent document 1 proposes a device that uses pheromone to attract and kill pests with sticky sheets, photographs the pests stuck to the sticky sheets with a camera, and uses the captured images to count the number of insects caught. In this device, the sticky sheets are stored in a roll, and the roll rotates daily to collect old sticky sheets and make new ones available for daily use. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-060402 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-325006 [Non-patent literature]

[0011] [Non-Patent Document 1] Matheus Cardim Ferreira Lima et al., “Automatic Detection and Monitoring of Insect Pests-A Review”, Agriculture 2020, 10, 161 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] However, the device described in Patent Document 1 employs a method of weighing the amount of captured pests as a means of monitoring pests. Therefore, if pests of different sizes and weights are captured, or if the pests are wet from rain, the amount of captured pests may change even if the number of captured pests is the same, and it may not be possible to accurately measure the number of captured pests from the amount of captured pests. In addition, there is the disadvantage that the size and morphology of the actually captured pests cannot be observed.

[0013] The device described in Patent Document 2 employs a method of detecting electrical discharge as a means of killing and monitoring pests. Therefore, it requires electrodes to generate the discharge, a voltage application means to apply between the electrodes, and a power supply and control device to drive them. As a result, the overall mechanism is costly and the structure of the device is complex. Furthermore, this device also has the same drawbacks as the device described in Patent Document 1. In addition, if contaminants caused by pests (hereinafter also referred to as "pest contaminants"), such as bodily fluids released by pests, parts of the pests themselves (wings, legs, etc.), or scales of lepidopteran pests (moths, etc.), adhere to the electrodes, there is a risk that the discharge will not be generated properly. In this case, the discharge cannot be detected correctly, and there is a problem that the accuracy of pest monitoring will decrease over time. As a result, the electrodes and the mechanism that generates the discharge need to be cleaned regularly, making the device maintenance time-consuming.

[0014] The device described in Non-Patent Document 1 employs a method of trapping and killing pests using sticky sheets, which requires the replacement of the sticky sheets at regular intervals. Furthermore, even before the regular interval has elapsed, the sticky sheets may deteriorate depending on the climatic elements of the survey area. In other words, the device requires considerable maintenance effort. In addition, pests that are not stuck to the sticky sheets may fly around inside the container, causing pest contaminants to adhere to the camera lens. If the camera lens is contaminated with pest contaminants, it becomes difficult to capture clear images, resulting in a decrease in the accuracy of pest monitoring. Therefore, the camera lens needs to be cleaned regularly, which also adds to the maintenance effort of the device.

[0015] This disclosure has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to provide a pest monitoring device that has a simple structure, excellent maintainability, and can maintain the accuracy of pest monitoring. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosed technology provides a device that photographs pests after they have been attracted and uses the captured images to monitor the pests. The device's structure is designed in a two-stage configuration, separating the space for attracting and capturing pests from the space for photographing them (performing these operations in different spaces).

[0017] Specifically, this disclosure relates to a monitoring device for monitoring pests. This pest monitoring device comprises a pest trapping unit having a trapping space for trapping and killing pests, an attracting means for attracting pests into the trapping space, and an insecticide for killing the pests attracted by the attracting means; a pest photography unit having a photography space for photographing pests trapped in the pest trapping unit; and photography means for photographing pests present in the photography space of the pest photography unit. The trapping space and the photography space are separated within the device so that trapped pests can move from the trapping space to the photography space.

[0018] The pest monitoring device described herein is configured to kill attracted pests with an insecticide (means for killing pests) and then photograph the killed pests with a photographic means (means for monitoring pests), resulting in a simple structure. Furthermore, in this device, the attracting space, which is partitioned into a pest attracting section, and the photographing space, which is partitioned into a pest photographing section, are separated within the device so that the attracted and killed pests can move from the attracting space to the photographing space, thus enabling pest attraction and photography to be performed in different spaces. With this configuration, all pests present in the photographing space of the pest photographing section are attracted and killed, so there is no risk of pests flying around in the photographing space. Therefore, contamination of the photographing space and photographic means by the attachment of pest contaminants is suppressed, and the accuracy of pest monitoring is less likely to deteriorate over time. In addition, cleaning of the photographing space and photographic means is basically unnecessary, and the simple structure of the device reduces the effort required for maintenance. Therefore, the pest monitoring device of this disclosure has a simple structure, excellent maintainability, and can maintain the accuracy of pest monitoring.

[0019] In this specification, "excellent maintainability" means that maintenance such as replacement or cleaning of the pest control means and monitoring means that make up the device is unnecessary for a long period of time, that is, that the maintenance cycle (for example, about 2 to 3 months) is long. A pest monitoring device with excellent maintainability can monitor pests over a long period of time and reduce the labor required for monitoring.

[0020] The aforementioned photographic means may be positioned above the pests present in the photographic space of the pest photographic unit. As a result, the photographic image will be a two-dimensional view of the pests after they have been attracted and killed, allowing for highly accurate monitoring of the pests' shape and size.

[0021] Between the pest trapping unit and the pest photographing unit, at least one of an opening / closing means through which trapped pests can pass from the trapping space to the photographing space, a moving means for moving the pests, a preventing means for preventing the pests from overlapping, an aligning means for aligning the pests, and a reducing means for reducing pest contaminants caused by the pests may be provided. Thereby, a structure for moving trapped pests from the trapping space to the photographing space is embodied, the image captured by the photographing means becomes even clearer, and the monitoring accuracy of pests can be improved.

[0022] Between the pest trapping unit and the pest photographing unit, a connecting portion partitioning a connecting space connecting the trapping space and the photographing space is provided, and in the connecting portion, the moving means is formed. The moving means may be an inclined surface that partitions the connecting space and slopes downward from the trapping space toward the photographing space. Thereby, the structure of the pest monitoring device further including the connecting portion and the structure of the moving means constituting the device are embodied.

[0023] The opening / closing means may be configured as an automatic opening / closing shutter structure. Thereby, the opening / closing means that automatically opens and closes is embodied.

[0024] The opening / closing means may be configured to automatically open and close at a predetermined time or at regular intervals, move trapped pests from within the trapping space into the photographing space, and the photographing means automatically photograph the pests existing within the photographing space. Thereby, a series of operation flows of the pest monitoring device are embodied.

[0025] The pest monitoring device may further include a disposal means for disposing of the pests photographed by the photographing means. Thereby, regular cleaning of the device associated with pest disposal becomes unnecessary, pests can be monitored over a long period, and monitoring can be labor-saving.

[0026] The disposal means may be configured as an automatic opening / closing shutter structure through which pests can pass. Thereby, the disposal means for automatically disposing of pests is embodied.

[0027] The system may further include a communication means for wirelessly transmitting images of pests captured by the aforementioned imaging means. This allows for the wireless transmission and storage of captured images of pests to a server, enabling the recording of the number of pests captured at predetermined intervals (e.g., every day) over a long period, and allowing for retrospective confirmation of the number of captured pests and their occurrence. [Effects of the Invention]

[0028] As described above, this disclosure provides a pest monitoring device with a simple structure, excellent maintainability, and the ability to maintain accuracy in pest monitoring. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a pest monitoring device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2A] Figure 2A is a perspective view showing the operation flow of a pest monitoring device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. It shows (a) the initial state, (b) the state in which pests have been attracted into the trapping space of the pest trapping unit, (c) the state in which pests have been killed in the trapping space, and (d) the state in which the killed pests have been moved into the shooting space of the pest shooting unit. [Figure 2B] Figure 2B is a perspective view showing the operation flow of a pest monitoring device according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. It shows (d) the state in which the killed pests are moved into the shooting space of the pest shooting unit, (e) the state in which the pests present in the shooting space are photographed, (f) the state in which the photographed pests are discarded, and (g) the state after the pests have been discarded (initial state). [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a pest monitoring device according to the second embodiment of this disclosure, and corresponds to Figure 1. [Figure 4A]Figure 4A is a perspective view showing the operation flow of a pest monitoring device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure, and corresponds to Figure 2A. It shows (a) the initial state, (b) the state in which pests have been attracted into the trapping space of the pest trapping unit, (c) the state in which pests have been killed in the trapping space, and (d) the state in which the killed pests have been moved into the shooting space of the pest shooting unit, and pests present in the shooting space are photographed. [Figure 4B] Figure 4B is a perspective view showing the operation flow of a pest monitoring device according to the second embodiment of this disclosure, and corresponds to Figure 2B. It shows (d) the state in which the killed pests are moved into the shooting space of the pest shooting unit and the pests present in the shooting space are photographed, (e) the state in which the photographed pests are discarded, and (f) the state after the pests have been discarded (initial state). [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a pest monitoring device according to the third embodiment of this disclosure, and corresponds to Figure 1. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A is a perspective view showing the operation flow of a pest monitoring device according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, and corresponds to Figure 2A. It shows (a) the initial state, (b) the state in which pests have been attracted into the trapping space of the pest trapping unit, (c) the state in which pests have been killed in the trapping space, and (d) the state in which the killed pests are moved into the shooting space of the pest shooting unit. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B is a perspective view showing the operation flow of a pest monitoring device according to the second embodiment of this disclosure, and corresponds to Figure 2B. It shows (d) the state in which the killed pests are moved into the shooting space of the pest shooting unit, (e) the state in which pests present in the shooting space are photographed, (f) the state in which the photographed pests are discarded, and (g) the state after the pests have been discarded (initial state). [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows images of pests captured by the pest monitoring devices according to the first to third embodiments of this disclosure. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection portion constituting the pest monitoring device according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 9]Figure 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating (a) pests before alignment and (b) pests after alignment in a pest monitoring device according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a pest monitoring device according to the fifth embodiment of this disclosure, and corresponds to Figure 1. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the pest outbreak prediction system of this disclosure. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an image of a pest outbreak prediction method and pest outbreak prediction system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the pest outbreak prediction method according to the present disclosure (the operation flow of the pest outbreak prediction system). [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of a pest control information provision system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] Figure 15 shows an example of a flow for predicting the amount of pests in a pest outbreak prediction system, and an example of a flow for identifying pest control information in a pest control information provision system according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] The following embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of preferred embodiments is essentially illustrative and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses in any way.

[0031] (First embodiment) <Pest Monitoring Device> Figures 1, 2A, and 2B show a pest monitoring device A1 according to the first embodiment. This pest monitoring device A1 is a device for monitoring pests P. Examples of pests P to be monitored include lepidoptera (moths, etc.), hemiptera (stink bugs, aphids, etc.), beetles (longhorn beetles, scarab beetles), thrips, diptera (flies, etc.), and orthoptera (grasshoppers, etc.).

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the pest monitoring device A1 comprises a pest trapping unit 10 and a pest imaging unit 20. The pest trapping unit 10 is located adjacent to and above the pest imaging unit 20, and the pest monitoring device A1 is arranged in a two-tiered structure in a single vertical (up and down) row when viewed from the front. The pest trapping unit 10 and the pest imaging unit 20 are connected. In this way, the upper pest trapping unit 10 and the lower pest imaging unit 20 are integrated to constitute the pest monitoring device A1. The pest monitoring device A1 is mounted and fixed to the mounting base 1, and can be installed at any survey site by burying one end of the mounting pole 2 provided on the mounting base 1.

[0033] [Pest Attraction Department] The insect trapping unit 10 is the part that traps and kills insects P. The insect trapping unit 10 has a container-shaped trapping unit body 11 with a bottom and lid that partitions a trapping space S1 for trapping and killing insects P that have been captured. The shape of the trapping unit body 11 is not particularly limited and can be a box shape (square, rectangular), a cylinder shape (circular), etc. The size of the trapping unit body 11 should be such that it has a trapping space S1 large enough to hold insects P for a predetermined period (for example, every day) until the insects P are moved to the insect photographing unit 20 by the opening and closing means 14 described later. The trapping unit body 11 may be made using commercially available resin plates or resin containers. As for the resin material that constitutes the trapping unit body 11, from the viewpoint of being able to easily visually confirm the insects P, examples of resin materials include colorless transparent or colored transparent acrylic, polycarbonate, etc. On the other hand, since the sight of the pest P can cause discomfort, the resin material may be semi-transparent to make it difficult to see inside the insect trap body 11, or it may be opaque (for example, white) to make it impossible to see inside the insect trap body 11.

[0034] An opening / closing mechanism 14 is provided on the bottom surface (underside, between the insect trapping unit 10 and the insect imaging unit 20, the boundary portion where the insect trapping unit 10 and the insect imaging unit 20 are connected) of the insect trapping unit body 11. In other words, the insect monitoring device A1 further includes an opening / closing mechanism 14. The opening / closing mechanism 14 is openable and closable and allows trapped insects P to move (pass through) from the insect trapping unit 10 (trapping space S1) to the insect imaging unit 20 (imaging space S2, described later). The opening / closing mechanism 14 has a plurality of opening / closing plates 15 (three in Figure 1), a rotating shaft 16 provided on each opening / closing plate 15, and a driving mechanism 17 for driving the rotating shaft 16. The driving mechanism 17 causes each opening / closing plate 15 to rotate around each rotating shaft 16 in conjunction, so that the bottom surface of the insect trapping unit body 11 can be automatically opened and closed. In other words, the bottom surface (opening / closing mechanism 14) of the trap body 11 has an automatic opening and closing shutter structure. The driving mechanism 17 is not particularly limited and can include, for example, a motor, an actuator, or an automatic opening and closing device that can lock and unlock the door in conjunction with a smartphone, and can use commercially available products.

[0035] Furthermore, the insect trapping unit 10 includes an attractant 12 and an insecticide 13.

[0036] The attracting means 12 is a means for attracting pests P into the trapping space S1 of the pest trapping unit 10 (trapping unit body 11). The attracting means 12 employs a pheromone trap that utilizes a pheromone agent (sex pheromone agent) 18 that has the effect of specifically attracting males of a particular pest. The pheromone trap has a pheromone agent 18, an attracting unit body 19, and an opening (not shown) formed on the upper surface of the trapping unit body 11 through which pests P can pass into the trapping space S1 of the trapping unit body 11. The pheromone agent 18 is located below the attracting unit body 19 and is installed (suspended) within the trapping space S1. The pheromone agent 18 can be appropriately selected according to the type of pest P to be monitored, and commercially available products can be used. The attracting unit body 19 is provided on the outer upper surface of the trapping unit body 11 so as to cover the above-mentioned opening. The attractant body 19 is designed to prevent the pest P, which is attracted by the pheromone agent 18 and captured in the trapping space S1, from escaping through the opening described above.

[0037] The insecticide 13 is a means (means for killing insects P) that are attracted by the attractant 12. When insects are killed by electric discharge (electric shock), insects that are shocked may suffer damage such as parts of their bodies being torn off. In contrast, the insect monitoring device A1 kills insects with the insecticide 13, so the insects P are less likely to be damaged after being killed, and the morphology of the undamaged insects P can be photographed. The insecticide 13 is not particularly limited and is a commercially available pesticide (chemical pesticide such as liquid or resin type); or, in consideration of environmental issues and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), plant-derived substances containing insecticidal components (plant essential oils using terpenes, pyrethrum extract, etc.) can be used as an alternative to chemical pesticides. Among the insecticides 13, resin-type vaporizing insecticides (insecticidal plates) can be suitably used from the viewpoint of improving the maintainability of the device (especially extending the maintenance cycle (e.g., about 2-3 months)). The insecticide 13 should be arranged so that it can evaporate throughout the entire trapping space S1 within the trapping unit body 11. For example, it can be placed approximately in the middle of one inner surface of the trapping unit body 11.

[0038] [Pest Photography Department] The insect photography unit 20 is the part that photographs the insects P that have been attracted and killed by the insect trapping unit 10. The insect photography unit 20 has a container-shaped photography unit body 21 with a bottom and lid that partitions a photography space S2 for photographing the insects P after they have been attracted and moved from the trapping space S1 via an opening and closing means 14. The shape of the photography unit body 21 is not particularly limited and can be a box shape (square, rectangular), a cylinder shape (circular), etc. The size of the photography unit body 21 should be such that it has a photography space S2 large enough to hold the insects P after they have been attracted and moved from the trapping space S1. The photography unit body 21 may be made using commercially available resin plates or resin containers. As for the resin material that constitutes the photography unit body 21, a colorless transparent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate is preferred from the viewpoint of obtaining a clear image of the insects P present in the photography space S2 of the photography unit body 21. Furthermore, in the main body of the imaging unit 21, the surface that does not affect the imaging of the pest P may be made of the aforementioned colored transparent resin material, or it may be made of the aforementioned translucent resin material that makes it difficult to see inside the main body of the imaging unit 21, since the sight of the pest P would cause discomfort, or it may be made of the aforementioned opaque (for example, white) resin material that makes it impossible to see inside the main body of the imaging unit 21.

[0039] An opening / closing mechanism 14 is provided on the upper surface of the imaging unit body 21 (the boundary between the insect trapping unit 10 and the insect trapping unit 20, where the insect trapping unit 10 and the insect trapping unit 20 are connected). In other words, the upper surface of the imaging unit body 21 and the lower surface of the insect trapping unit body 11 are formed as a single unit.

[0040] On the other hand, a disposal means 23 is provided on the bottom (underside) of the main imaging unit 21. In other words, the pest monitoring device A1 further includes a disposal means 23. The disposal means 23 is a means for disposing of pests P that have been photographed by the imaging means 30, which will be described later. The disposal means 23, like the opening and closing means 14 described above, is openable and closable and allows the photographed pests P to move (pass through) from the pest imaging unit 20 (imaging space S2) to the outside of the device, and employs an automatic opening and closing shutter structure. That is, the disposal means 23 has a plurality of opening and closing plates 27 (three in Figure 1), a rotating shaft 28 provided on each opening and closing plate 27, and a driving means 29 for driving the rotating shaft 28. Then, the driving means 29 causes each opening and closing plate 27 to rotate around each rotating shaft 28 in conjunction, so that the bottom surface of the main imaging unit 21 can be automatically opened and closed. The driving means 29 is not particularly limited, and the same as that exemplified in the driving means 17 described above can be used.

[0041] Furthermore, pests P that are discarded outside the device may be left to fall directly onto the ground below the device, or a box or similar container may be placed below the device to collect the fallen pests P.

[0042] [Method of filming] The photographing means 30 is a means (a means for monitoring pests) for photographing pests P present in the photographing space S2 of the pest photographing unit 20. The photographing means 30 is not particularly limited, and commercially available digital cameras or mobile phones (smartphones) can be used. In addition, it is preferable that the photographing means 30 further includes an antenna 31 as a communication means for wirelessly transmitting the images of the captured pests P. This makes it possible to transmit and store the images of the captured pests P on a server (not shown), eliminating the need for researchers to actually go to the survey site over a long period of time.

[0043] Here, the imaging means 30 is positioned above the insects P present in the imaging space S2 of the insect imaging unit 20 (imaging unit body 21) (see also Figure 2B(e)). Specifically, the imaging means 30 is positioned on the outside of one side of the imaging unit body 21. In other words, the imaging means 30 is positioned outside the imaging space S2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of insect contaminants to the lens portion of the imaging means 30. Furthermore, the imaging means 30 is positioned above the approximately midpoint in the vertical direction on one side of the imaging unit body 21. Since all insects P that have moved into the imaging space S2 of the imaging unit body 21 are killed and do not fly around, there is almost no risk of insect contaminants adhering to each inner surface of the imaging unit body 21 that partitions the imaging space S2, but the upper part of each inner surface is even less susceptible to insect contaminant adhesion. Therefore, the image captured through one side of the imaging unit body 21 that partitions the imaging space S2 maintains a clear image for a long period of time, for example, as shown in Figure 7. Furthermore, the image taken from above of the pest P located within the shooting space S2 (the bottom surface of the shooting unit 21) is a two-dimensional view of the pest P after it has been trapped and killed, making it possible to monitor the shape and size of the pest P with high accuracy.

[0044] Furthermore, the placement of the imaging means 30 is not limited to outside the imaging space S2. In the pest monitoring device A1, as described above, there is no risk of pests P flying around within the imaging space S2, so it may be placed inside the imaging space S2 (pest imaging unit 20).

[0045] [Other configurations] The pest monitoring device A1 may further include a control means (not shown) for managing and controlling the opening / closing means 14, the imaging means 30, and the disposal means 23 collectively. The control means is not particularly limited, and commercially available electronic devices such as mobile phones (smartphones), tablet terminals, and personal computers can be used. The control means, imaging means 30, and antenna 31 may be provided as a single electronic device, or multiple electronic devices may be provided individually.

[0046] The pest monitoring device A1 may visually count the number of captured pests P from the images of the pests P, but it may also be equipped with an automatic counting (identification) function for pests P by introducing various systems such as image processing software and individual identification software into the electronic device described above. As mentioned above, since the pest monitoring device A1 obtains images of undamaged pests P, miscounting is unlikely to occur even when using the above system for automatic counting.

[0047] The pest monitoring device A1 (pest trapping unit 10) may further include a drying means (not shown) for drying the pests P that are captured during rainfall and become wet with rain within the trapping space S1 of the trapping unit body 11. This prevents the rain-soaked pests P from adhering to the bottom surface of the trapping unit body 11 (i.e., the opening / closing means 14). The drying means is not particularly limited, and commercially available heaters can be used. In this case, a rain sensor and a humidity sensor may be further provided, and the above-mentioned electronic equipment may detect these sensors and control the operation of the drying means as needed.

[0048] The pest monitoring device A1, configured as described above, has a two-stage structure consisting of a pest trapping unit 10 that partitions the trapping space S1 and a pest imaging unit 20 that partitions the imaging space S2. The trapping space S1 and the imaging space S2 are separated within the device, and the device is configured so that the trapped pests P can be moved from the trapping space S1 to the imaging space S2 by an opening / closing means 14. The pest monitoring device A1 is configured so that the opening / closing means 14 automatically opens and closes at predetermined times (for example, during periods when the activity of pests P decreases) or at predetermined intervals (for example, every day), moving the pests P killed by the insecticide 13 from the trapping space S1 to the imaging space S2, the imaging means 30 automatically photographs the pests P moved into the imaging space S2, and the disposal means 23 automatically disposes of the photographed pests P.

[0049] <Operation Flowchart of Pest Monitoring Device> Next, the operation flow of the pest monitoring device A1 according to this embodiment will be described based on Figures 2A and 2B.

[0050] (a) In the pest monitoring device A1 before monitoring begins (initial state), no pests P are present in either the trapping space S1 or the imaging space S2.

[0051] (b) A specific pest P is attracted by the pheromone agent 18 and captured in the trapping space S1 via the pheromone trap (attraction means 12).

[0052] (c) The captured pest P is killed in the trapping space S1 by the evaporation of the insecticide 13. The killed pest P lies on the bottom surface of the trapping unit body 11.

[0053] (d) After killing the insects, the automatic opening and closing shutter (opening and closing means 14) provided on the bottom surface of the insect trap body 11 is opened. At this point, the killed insects P pass through the automatic opening and closing shutter with the opening and closing plate 15 in the open state and move (fall) from the insect trap space S1 into the shooting space S2. Alternatively, after the insects P have passed through the automatic opening and closing shutter, the automatic opening and closing shutter may be closed to put the opening and closing plate 15 in the closed state.

[0054] (e) The insect P lying on the bottom surface of the imaging unit body 21 is photographed from above by the imaging means 30 through one side of the imaging unit body 21. The captured image (for example, the image shown in Figure 7) is transmitted to the server and stored via wireless communication by the antenna 31.

[0055] (f) After taking a picture, the automatic opening and closing shutter (disposal means 23) located on the bottom of the main unit 21 of the camera is opened. As a result, the insect P after being photographed passes through the automatic opening and closing shutter with the opening and closing plate 27 in the open position and is disposed of from inside the shooting space S2 to the outside (outside the device). After the insect P has passed through the automatic opening and closing shutter, the automatic opening and closing shutter is closed, and the opening and closing plate 27 is closed.

[0056] (g) Through the above series of operations, the pest monitoring device A1 returns to (a) the state before monitoring started (initial state).

[0057] <Effects> As described above, the pest monitoring device A1 according to this embodiment provides the following effects.

[0058] (1) The pest monitoring device A1 is configured to kill attracted pests P with an insecticide 13, photograph the killed pests P with a photography device 30, and dispose of the photographed pests P with a disposal device 23. With this configuration, a power supply and control device are not required, so the structure of the device is simple, and the overall cost of the device can be reduced. In addition, the pest monitoring device A1 is divided into two spaces: an attracting space S1 partitioned by the pest attracting unit 10 and a photography space S2 partitioned by the pest photography unit 20, so that the attracting and photographing of pests P are performed in different spaces. With this configuration, only the killed pests P exist in the photography space S2, so there is no risk of pests P flying around in the photography space S2. Therefore, contamination of the inner surfaces of the imaging unit body 21 (pest imaging unit 20) that partitions the imaging space S2, as well as the lens portion of the imaging means 30, by the attachment of pest contaminants that could obstruct imaging is suppressed, and the monitoring accuracy of pests P is less likely to decrease over time. In this way, the pest monitoring device A1 can capture the morphology of pests P without damage and can capture pests P without being affected by pest contaminants. Furthermore, as a result of the above, cleaning of the imaging unit body 21 and imaging means 30 becomes unnecessary, and as a result, maintenance other than replacement of the insecticide 13 is basically unnecessary. Therefore, the pest monitoring device A1 has a simple structure, excellent maintainability, and can maintain the monitoring accuracy of pests P. By utilizing this pest monitoring device A1, the labor required for pest P outbreak forecasting surveys can be reduced, and detailed information on pest P outbreaks at individual locations can be obtained.

[0059] (2) The pest monitoring device A1 photographs the pest P from above after it has been caught, thereby obtaining a planar image of the pest P. This makes it possible to monitor not only the number of captured pests P, but also their shape and size with high accuracy.

[0060] (3) The pest monitoring device A1 can transmit and store images of pests P on a server, allowing for long-term monitoring of the occurrence of pests P at predetermined intervals.

[0061] (Second embodiment) <Pest Monitoring Device> Figures 3, 4A, and 4B show a pest monitoring device A2 according to the second embodiment. In this pest monitoring device A2, as shown in Figure 3, the configuration that allows the captured pest P to move from the capture space S1 to the imaging space S2 differs from that of the pest monitoring device A1 according to the first embodiment described above. Specifically, the pest monitoring device A2 is equipped with a moving means 50 for moving the pest P instead of an opening / closing means 14. Other aspects are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. Also, components the same as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted.

[0062] As shown in Figure 3, the pest monitoring device A2 comprises a pest trapping unit 10 (trapping unit body 11) that partitions the trapping space S1, and a pest imaging unit 20 (imaging unit body 21) that partitions the imaging space S2. The pest trapping unit 10 is adjacent to the pest imaging unit 20, and the pest monitoring device A2 is arranged in a two-tiered structure in a single row horizontally (left and right) when viewed from the front. The pest trapping unit 10 and the pest imaging unit 20 are connected. Thus, when viewed from the front, the pest trapping unit 10 on the right tier and the pest imaging unit 20 on the left tier are integrated to constitute the pest monitoring device A2. Note that the arrangement of the pest trapping unit 10 and the pest imaging unit 20 is not particularly limited, and an arrangement that is horizontally reversed from the arrangement shown in Figure 3 is also acceptable.

[0063] [Pest Photography Department and Pest Trap Control Department] One side of the trapping unit body 11 (the left side in Figure 3) and one side of the imaging unit body 21 (the right side in Figure 3) are integrally formed, and this side can be considered a partition plate 5 that separates the trapping space S1 and the imaging space S2. Below this partition plate 5, in other words, below approximately the middle of the vertical direction on the common side that separates the trapping unit body 11 and the imaging unit body 21, an opening 6 is formed.

[0064] A belt conveyor 51, serving as a moving means 50, is arranged horizontally from the trapping unit body 11 to the imaging unit body 21 via the opening 6. This belt conveyor 51 is rotatable counterclockwise when viewed from the front of the device. As a result, the pest monitoring device A2 is configured to allow trapped pests P to move from the trapping space S1 to the imaging space S2 by moving horizontally on the belt conveyor 51. The belt conveyor 51 is not particularly limited and commercially available ones can be used. The method of driving the belt conveyor 51 is also not particularly limited and commercially available driving means such as motors can be used. Furthermore, the operation of the belt conveyor 51 may be automatically controlled by the control means described above.

[0065] The size of the partition plate 5 and the opening 6 can be appropriately determined according to the size of the belt conveyor 51 used. For example, the size can be adjusted so that it is difficult for the insects P flying around in the trapping space S1 to pass through the opening 6, and so that the insects P do not come into contact with the partition plate 5 when they move along the belt conveyor 51 after being killed.

[0066] The imaging unit body 21 is formed in a two-tiered structure, and two spaces are divided within the imaging unit body 21 by a partition plate 24 provided above approximately the midpoint in the vertical direction. The upper space is a storage space S3 for housing the imaging means 30. A lid member 25 is provided above the storage space S3 (the upper part of the imaging unit body 21) to cover the storage space S3 in an openable and closable manner. The lid member 25 facilitates the retrieval and maintenance of the imaging means 30. On the other hand, the lower space is the imaging space S2. As for the resin material constituting the partition plate 24, a colorless and transparent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate is preferred from the viewpoint of obtaining a clear image of the pest P present in the imaging space S2 of the imaging unit body 21 through the partition plate 24.

[0067] Furthermore, the other side of the imaging unit body 21 (the left side in Figure 3), specifically the lower half of the side facing the partition plate 5 and the opening 6, is open. In other words, an opening 7 is formed below approximately the middle of the vertical direction on the other side of the imaging unit body 21. One end of the belt conveyor 51 (the left end in Figure 3) protrudes from this opening 7. A pest collection box 26, capable of housing one end of the belt conveyor 51 and collecting pests P that fall from that end, is detachably connected to the opening 7. Thus, in the pest monitoring device A2, the disposal means 23 is composed of the opening 7, the belt conveyor 51, and the pest collection box 26. The size of the pest collection box 26 should be large enough to sufficiently collect the pests P killed during the entire monitoring period (the period corresponding to the device's maintenance cycle). If it is not necessary to collect the pests P, they may be left to fall directly onto the ground below the device from one end of the belt conveyor 51.

[0068] [Method of filming] The imaging device 30 is located in a storage space S3 partitioned outside the imaging space S2 via a partition plate 24. This prevents insect contaminants from adhering to the lens portion of the imaging device 30. Furthermore, the imaging device 30 is located above the imaging space S2, in other words, on the partition plate 24. While there is little risk of insect contaminants adhering to the inner surfaces of the lower section of the imaging unit body 21 that partitions the imaging space S2, the upper inner surface of the lower section of the imaging unit body 21 (i.e., the underside of the partition plate 24) is the least likely to have insect contaminants adhering to it. Therefore, the images captured via the partition plate 24 that separates the storage space S3 and the imaging space S2 maintain their clarity over a long period, as shown in Figure 7, for example. Moreover, images captured from above (directly above) the insect P present in the imaging space S2 (the bottom surface of the imaging unit body 21) are planar images of the insect P after it has been killed, allowing for more accurate monitoring of the shape and size of the insect P.

[0069] The other configurations mentioned above may also be incorporated into the pest monitoring device A2 as needed.

[0070] The pest monitoring device A2, configured as described above, has a two-stage structure consisting of a pest trapping unit 10 that partitions the trapping space S1 and a pest imaging unit 20 that partitions the imaging space S2. The trapping space S1 and the imaging space S2 are separated within the device, and the device is configured to allow trapped pests P to be moved from the trapping space S1 to the imaging space S2 by a belt conveyor 51 (moving means 50). The pest monitoring device A2 is configured to automatically rotate (operate) the belt conveyor 51 at predetermined times (for example, during periods when the activity of pests P decreases) or at predetermined intervals (for example, every day), to move the pests P killed by the insecticide 13 from the trapping space S1 to the imaging space S2, where the imaging means 30 automatically photographs the pests P, and the photographed pests P are automatically discarded.

[0071] <Operation Flowchart of Pest Monitoring Device> Next, the operation flow of the pest monitoring device A2 according to this embodiment will be described based on Figures 4A and 4B.

[0072] (a) In the pest monitoring device A2 before monitoring begins (initial state), no pests P are present in any of the trapping space S1, the imaging space S2, or the storage space S3.

[0073] (b) A specific pest P is attracted by the pheromone agent 18 and captured in the trapping space S1 via the pheromone trap (attraction means 12).

[0074] (c) The captured pests P are killed in the trapping space S1 by the evaporation of the insecticide 13. The killed pests P lie on the belt conveyor 51 (moving means 50) inside the trapping unit body 11 (trapping space S1).

[0075] (d) After killing the insects, the conveyor belt 51 automatically rotates (operates) counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrows shown in Figures 4A(d) and 4B(d)) for a predetermined distance (time). As a result, the killed insects P pass through the opening 6 and move from the trapping space S1 to the imaging space S2. After moving, the insects P lie on the conveyor belt 51 in the imaging unit body 21 (imaging space S2). In this state (with the conveyor belt 51 stopped), the insects P lying on the conveyor belt 51 are photographed from above by the imaging means 30 via the partition plate 24. The captured image (for example, the image shown in Figure 7) is transmitted to the server via wireless communication using the antenna 31 and stored.

[0076] (e) After the photograph is taken, the conveyor belt 51 is automatically rotated (operated) counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 4B(e)) for a predetermined distance (time). As a result, the insects P after the photograph are discarded from inside the photographing space S2 into the external insect collection box 26 by falling from one end of the conveyor belt 51 that has emerged from the opening 7 (the left end in Figure 4B(e)).

[0077] (f) As a result of the above series of operations, the pest monitoring device A2 returns to the same state as before monitoring started (initial state), except that the pests are discarded into the pest collection box 26.

[0078] <Effects> As described above, the pest monitoring device A2 according to this embodiment can obtain the same effects as the pest monitoring device A1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0079] (Third embodiment) <Pest Monitoring Device> Figures 5, 6A, and 6B show a pest monitoring device A3 according to a third embodiment. In this pest monitoring device A3, as shown in Figure 5, the configuration that allows the captured pest P to move from the capture space S1 to the imaging space S2 differs from that of the pest monitoring devices A1 and A2 according to the first and second embodiments described above. Specifically, the pest monitoring device A3 further includes a connecting part 40 between the pest capture unit 10 and the pest imaging unit 20. Other aspects are the same as those of the first and second embodiments described above, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. Also, components the same as those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0080] As shown in Figure 5, the pest monitoring device A3 comprises a pest trapping unit 10 (trapping unit body 11) that partitions the trapping space S1, a pest imaging unit 20 (imaging unit body 21) that partitions the imaging space S2, and a connecting unit 40. The pest trapping unit 10 is positioned above and adjacent to the pest imaging unit 20, so that the pest monitoring device A3 is arranged in a stepped shape when viewed from the front. Specifically, the connecting unit 40 is provided approximately midway in the vertical (up and down) direction on one side of the imaging unit body 21 (the right side when viewed from the front in Figure 5), and the pest trapping unit 10 is provided on the connecting unit 40. The pest trapping unit 10 (bottom surface of the trapping unit body 11) and the pest imaging unit 20 (right side of the imaging unit body 21) are connected via the connecting unit 40. In this way, the pest trapping unit 10, the pest imaging unit 20 and the connecting unit 40 are integrated to constitute the pest monitoring device A3.

[0081] [Pest Attraction Department] The bottom surface of the insect trapping unit body 11 (the underside, the space between the insect trapping unit 10 and the connecting unit 40, and the boundary portion where the insect trapping unit 10 and the connecting unit 40 are connected) is provided with an opening / closing mechanism 14, similar to the first embodiment described above.

[0082] [Pest Photography Department] The imaging unit body 21 is formed in a two-tiered structure, similar to the second embodiment described above. An opening 8 is formed approximately midway in the vertical direction on the right side of the imaging unit body 21 to connect (communicate) the imaging space S2 within the imaging unit body 21 with the connecting part 40 (connecting space S4, described later). This allows the trapped insect P to pass through the opening 8 from the connecting space S4 into the imaging space S2. In other words, the trapped insect P can move from the trapping space S1 into the imaging space S2 via the connecting part 40. Note that the storage space S3 within the imaging unit body 21 and the connecting space S4 within the connecting part 40 are not connected. That is, the opening 8 (its upper edge) is formed at the same position (height) as the partition plate 24 or lower in the vertical direction, so that the trapped insect P cannot enter the storage space S3. This prevents insect contaminants from adhering to the lens portion of the imaging means 22, eliminating the need to periodically clean the lens portion.

[0083] [Connection part] The connecting section 40 is the part that connects the insect trapping section 10 and the insect imaging section 20, and is provided between the insect trapping section 10 and the insect imaging section 20. The connecting section 40 also has a connecting space S4 for connecting the insect trapping space S1 and the imaging space S2.

[0084] Specifically, the connecting portion 40 connects the bottom surface (opening / closing means 14) of the insect trapping unit body 11 to the opening 8 located below the opening / closing means 14 and formed on the right side of the imaging unit body 21, and is formed in a roughly truncated square pyramidal shape with the opening 8 as part of the bottom surface. In the roughly truncated square pyramidal connecting portion 40, the side partitioned by the lower edge of the opening 8 and one side parallel to the lower edge on the opening / closing means 14 side is formed as a slope 52. More specifically, the slope 52 is formed between the bottom surface of the insect trapping unit body 11 and the right side of the imaging unit body 21, and is a surface that slopes downward from the bottom surface toward the right side. In the pest monitoring device A3, the slope 52 formed in the connecting portion 40 serves as the moving means 50. In other words, the moving means 50 is configured to use the slope 52 that partitions the connecting space S4 to move the pest P from within the insect trapping space S1, through the connecting space S4, into the imaging space S2 diagonally downward along the slope 52. In this way, the insecticide-treated pests P move to the bottom surface of the camera unit 21 before filming.

[0085] The other configurations mentioned above may also be incorporated into the pest monitoring device A3 as needed.

[0086] The pest monitoring device A3, configured as described above, has a two-stage structure consisting of a pest trapping unit 10 that partitions the trapping space S1 and a pest imaging unit 20 that partitions the imaging space S2. The trapping space S1 and the imaging space S2 are separated within the device, and the device is configured so that the trapped pests P can move from the trapping space S1 to the imaging space S2 using the slope 52 (movement means 50) formed on the connecting unit 40. Furthermore, the pest monitoring device A3 can also be described as having a three-stage structure, as it further includes a connecting unit 40 that partitions a connecting space S4 for connecting the trapping space S1 and the imaging space S2. Furthermore, the pest monitoring device A3 is configured such that the opening / closing means 14 automatically opens and closes at predetermined times (for example, during periods when the activity of pests P decreases) or at predetermined intervals (for example, every day), moving the pests P killed by the insecticide 13 from the trapping space S1 to the shooting space S2 via the connecting space S4 and the slope 52, the shooting means 30 automatically photographs the pests P that have moved into the shooting space S2, and the disposal means 23 automatically disposes of the photographed pests P.

[0087] <Operation Flowchart of Pest Monitoring Device> Next, the operation flow of the pest monitoring device A3 according to this embodiment will be described based on Figures 6A and 6B.

[0088] (a) In the pest monitoring device A3 before monitoring begins (initial state), no pests P are present in any of the trapping space S1, imaging space S2, storage space S3, or connection space S4.

[0089] (b) A specific pest P is attracted by the pheromone agent 18 and captured in the trapping space S1 via the pheromone trap (attraction means 12).

[0090] (c) The captured pest P is killed in the trapping space S1 by the evaporation of the insecticide 13. The killed pest P lies on the bottom surface of the trapping unit body 11.

[0091] (d) After killing the insects, the automatic opening and closing shutter (opening and closing means 14) provided on the bottom surface of the insect trap body 11 is opened. The killed insects P then pass through the automatic opening and closing shutter with the opening and closing plate 15 in the open state and move from the insect trap space S1 into the connection space S4 (connection part 40). After that, the insects P slide or fall down the slope 52 (movement means 50) formed in the connection part 40, pass through the opening 8 on the right side of the camera body 21 and move from the connection space S4 into the camera space S2. Alternatively, after the insects P have passed through the automatic opening and closing shutter, the automatic opening and closing shutter may be closed to close the opening and closing plate 15.

[0092] (e) The insect P lying on the bottom surface of the imaging unit body 21 is photographed from above by the imaging means 30 through the partition plate 24. The captured image (for example, the image shown in Figure 7) is transmitted to the server via wireless communication using the antenna 31 and stored there.

[0093] (f) After taking a picture, the automatic opening and closing shutter (disposal means 23) located on the bottom of the main unit 21 of the camera is opened. As a result, the insect P after being photographed passes through the automatic opening and closing shutter with the opening and closing plate 27 in the open position and is disposed of from inside the shooting space S2 to the outside (outside the device). After the insect P has passed through the automatic opening and closing shutter, the automatic opening and closing shutter is closed, and the opening and closing plate 27 is closed.

[0094] (g) Through the above series of operations, the pest monitoring device A1 returns to (a) the state before monitoring started (initial state).

[0095] <Effects> As described above, the pest monitoring device A3 according to this embodiment can obtain the same effects as the pest monitoring devices A1 and A2 of the first and second embodiments described above.

[0096] (Fourth embodiment) Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the connection part 40 that constitutes the pest monitoring device A4 according to the fourth embodiment. In the pest monitoring device A4, as shown in Figure 8, the configuration of the connection part 40 differs from that of the pest monitoring device A3 according to the third embodiment described above. In other words, the connection part 40 that constitutes the pest monitoring device A4 is a modified version of the connection part 40 that constitutes the pest monitoring device A3. According to the pest monitoring device A4, when photographing pests P that have moved into the shooting space S2, an image is obtained in which the pests P are arranged in an aligned state as shown in Figure 9(b), rather than in the state in which the pests P are randomly arranged as shown in Figure 9(a), thus improving the accuracy of pest monitoring P. As a means to achieve this, the connection part 40 further includes a prevention means 60, an alignment means 70, and a reduction means 80 together with the movement means 50. As other points are the same as in the third embodiment described above, a detailed explanation is omitted here. Also, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as in the third embodiment and their explanations are omitted. Furthermore, the configuration of the connection section 40 according to this embodiment is also applicable to the pest monitoring device A5 according to the fifth embodiment, which will be described later.

[0097] The prevention means 60 is a means for preventing the overlapping of pests P, which have been killed by the insecticide 13, when they are moved from the trapping space S1 to the shooting space S2, or before and after their movement. Examples of means for preventing the overlapping of pests P include: providing a micro-vibration generating means that generates micro-vibrations (v shown in Figure 8) on the bottom surface of the inclined surface 52 that constitutes the moving means 50, and applying micro-vibrations v to the pests P when they are being moved or before and after their movement; providing an angle changing means that can change the angle of the inclined surface 52 that constitutes the moving means 50, and changing the angle of the inclined surface 52 when moving the pests P; providing a sorting means that has a grid or holes formed therein that can sort the pests P so that they do not overlap, and sorting the pests P in advance before moving them to prevent overlapping; and appropriately combining the above micro-vibration generating means, angle changing means and sorting means. In the pest monitoring device A4, a micro-vibration generating means (for example, a commercially available vibrator or motor) is used as a prevention means 60 to generate micro-vibrations v on the bottom surface of the slope 52, thereby preventing the overlapping of pests P.

[0098] The alignment means 70 is a means for aligning the pests P, which have been killed by the insecticide 13 and are arranged in random directions as shown in Figure 9(a), as shown in Figure 9(b) when they move from the trapping space S1 to the imaging space S2, or before and after they move. As an example of a means for aligning the pests P, one is to form grooves on the bottom surface of the slope 52 along the direction in which the pests P move, and align the orientation of the pests P's bodies (the direction from the head to the abdomen or the opposite direction) in the same direction when the pests P move or before and after they move. In the pest monitoring device A4, multiple grooves (seven in Figure 8) are formed on the bottom surface of the slope 52 from the middle to the bottom, along the direction in which the pests P move. As a result, the orientation of the pests P's bodies is aligned as they move within the grooves.

[0099] The reduction means 80 is a means for reducing insect contamination when the insect P killed by the insecticide 13 moves from the trapping space S1 to the imaging space S2, or before or after the movement. Means and methods for reducing insect contamination include, for example, a method of forming holes or slits in the slope 52 and dropping the insect contamination into these holes or slits when the insect P moves (removing the insect contamination from the device through the holes or slits); a method of further providing a weakly adhesive sheet on the slope 52 and reducing or removing the insect contamination with the adhesive sheet when the insect P moves, or before or after the movement; and a method of further providing a liquid injection means for injecting water into the connection part 40 (connection space S4) and washing the insect P with water when the insect P moves or before the movement to reduce or remove the insect contamination. In the pest monitoring device A4, multiple holes (48 in Figure 8) are formed in the upper to middle section of the bottom surface of the slope 52. These holes are sized to allow large pest contaminants (such as wings and legs detached from pests P) that would interfere with image identification to pass through, but not large enough for pests P themselves to pass through. As a result, pest contaminants such as wings and legs of pests P generated in the trapping space S1 are removed from the connection space S4 to the outside of the device through the holes formed in the slope 52 of the connection part 40, and are sufficiently reduced before pests P move into the imaging space S2.

[0100] Thus, in the pest monitoring device A4, the connection part 40 is used to combine the moving means 50, the prevention means 60, the alignment means 70, and the reduction means 80, thereby improving the function of each. Specifically, by generating micro-vibrations v (prevention means 60) on the bottom surface of the slope 52 (moving means 50), pests P are more likely to slide or fall down the slope 52, which increases the possibility that pest-contaminated material will be removed from the holes (reduction means 80) and that pests P will enter the grooves (alignment means 70) and that the orientation of their bodies will be aligned.

[0101] <Effects> With the pest monitoring device A4 configured as described above, in addition to the effects of (1) to (3) above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0102] (4) The pest monitoring device A4 is further equipped with a prevention means 60, which reduces the overlap of pests P and provides an even clearer image. As a result, miscounting of the number of captured pests P is suppressed, and the accuracy of pest monitoring P is further improved. This effect is particularly noticeable when the pest monitoring device A2 is equipped with the above-mentioned automatic counting (discrimination) function.

[0103] (5) The pest monitoring device A4 is further equipped with an alignment means 70, so that, as shown in Figure 9(b), an even clearer image can be obtained in which the bodies of the pests P are aligned so that they are all facing the same direction (up and down in Figure 9(b)). As a result, miscounting of the number of captured pests P is further suppressed. Also, in this case, because the pests P are aligned, the shape and size of the pests P can be easily and accurately compared and observed.

[0104] (6) The pest monitoring device A4 is further equipped with a reduction means 80, which further reduces the adhesion of pest contaminants to the partition plate 24 that divides the shooting space S2. As a result, clear images can be obtained over a long period of time from the images taken through the partition plate 24.

[0105] (Fifth embodiment) <Pest Monitoring Device> Figure 10 shows a pest monitoring device A5 according to the fifth embodiment. In this pest monitoring device A5, as shown in Figure 10, the configuration of the attracting means 120 in the pest trapping unit 10 differs from the attracting means 12 (see Figure 5, etc.) of the pest monitoring device A3 according to the third embodiment described above. Specifically, the pest monitoring device A5 employs a light trap (attracting means 120) that utilizes light instead of a pheromone trap (attracting means 12) having a pheromone agent 18 and an attracting body part 19. Other aspects are the same as those of the third embodiment described above, so a detailed explanation is omitted here. Also, components that are the same as those of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their explanations are omitted. Note that the configuration of the attracting means 120 according to this embodiment is also applicable to the pest monitoring devices A1, A2, and A4 according to the first, second, and fourth embodiments described above.

[0106] [Attraction method 120] The attractant means 120 according to this embodiment employs a light trap that utilizes light to attract pests P in a general (non-specific) or specific manner. The light trap has an attractant lamp 180 and an attractant hole 190.

[0107] The attractant lamp 180 attracts pests P in place of the pheromone agent 18. The attractant lamp 180 is installed on the inside of the upper surface of the main body 11 of the attractant unit, and above the attractant space S1. The light (light source) emitted from the attractant lamp 180 can be, for example, ultraviolet light (e.g., light with wavelengths in the ultraviolet region: wavelengths of about 100 to 400 nm), light containing ultraviolet light (e.g., light with wavelengths from the ultraviolet region to the low-wavelength visible region: about 380 to 430 nm), light with wavelengths in a region that has a specific effect of attracting a particular pest P (only), or light with wavelengths including that region. The attractant lamp 180 is not particularly limited, and commercially available lighting (light bulbs, fluorescent lamps, LEDs, organic ELs, etc.) can be used. The driving means for the attractant lamp 180 is also not particularly limited, and commercially available driving devices or known driving circuits can be used. The attractant lamp 180 may be configured to change the wavelength and brightness of the light, for example, by using LEDs or organic ELs. Furthermore, the attractant light 180 may be configured to be turned on or off in accordance with the activity time of the pest P being monitored.

[0108] The attractant holes 190 allow pests P to pass through the trapping space S1 of the trapping unit body 11, instead of the openings formed on the upper surfaces of the attractant body 19 and the trapping unit body 11. Multiple attractant holes 190 are formed on the sides of the trapping unit body 11. In Figure 10, the attractant holes 190 are formed on only two sides, but are not limited to this; they only need to be formed on at least one side, and may be formed on all sides. In addition, the attractant holes 190 may be formed on the upper surface of the trapping unit body 11, but from the viewpoint of preventing rainwater and the like from entering the trapping unit body 11, it is preferable that they be formed only on the sides. The attractant holes 190 are formed to a size that allows only pests P of a certain size or smaller (the pests P to be monitored) to pass through. The shape of the attractant holes 190 is not limited to the circular shape shown in Figure 10, but may be elliptical, triangular, rectangular, etc. Furthermore, since the pest P captured in the trapping space S1 via the attracting hole 190 is attracted by the attracting light 180, it is difficult for it to escape outside the trapping space S1. In addition, by forming the attracting hole 190 to a size and shape appropriate to the size of the pest P being monitored, it becomes difficult for the pest P to pass through the attracting hole 190.

[0109] <Effects> With the pest monitoring device A5 configured as described above, in addition to the effects of (1) to (3) above, the following effects can be obtained. (7) The pest monitoring device A5 is equipped with an attractant lamp 180 instead of a pheromone agent 18, so that even if there is no pheromone agent 18 that has the effect of specifically attracting the pest P to be monitored, or if it is not available, it is possible to monitor the pest P. (8) The pest monitoring device A5 is equipped with multiple attracting holes 190 that are sized to allow pests P to selectively pass through, instead of openings formed on the upper surfaces of the attracting body 19 and the trapping body 11, so that it can select which pests P to attract into the trapping space S1 of the trapping body 11.

[0110] (Modified version of the fifth embodiment) <Pest Monitoring Device> In the pest monitoring device A5, instead of a light trap using an attractant lamp 180 as the attraction means 120, a color trap using a color that has the effect of attracting pests P in general (non-specific) or specifically may be adopted. A color trap can be described as an attraction means that does not use a light source (attractant lamp 180), but uses an attractant plate (not shown) that reflects a specific wavelength using natural light to attract pests P that are attracted to reflected light of a specific wavelength. Specifically, instead of an attractant lamp 180, a colored plate (attractant plate) having a color that has the effect of attracting pests P may be installed on the inside of the upper surface of the trapping unit body 11 and above the trapping space S1. The configuration of the color trap is also applicable to the pest monitoring devices A1 to A4 according to the first to fourth embodiments described above.

[0111] The attractant board may be a colored sheet made of a thin sheet of resin, paper, or other material having a color that attracts pests P, or a metal plate. The color of the attractant board can be appropriately determined according to the type of pest P being monitored, and examples include yellow, blue, green, orange, white, and red. The attractant board may also be an adhesive board with at least one surface formed as an adhesive surface, or it may not have an adhesive surface in order to capture and kill pests P with the insecticide 13 and to maintain the attractant effect of the attractant board. The attractant board may be a commercially available product (for example, Koizumi Seima Co., Ltd.'s "Mushi Petatto Adhesive Sheet" or "Mushi Petatto Adhesive Paper"), or it may be made using commercially available colored resin sheets, colored paper, or metal plates.

[0112] <Effects> According to the modified version of the pest monitoring device A5 configured as described above, in addition to the effects of (1) to (3), (7), and (8) above, the following effects can be obtained. A modified version of the pest monitoring device A5 includes an attractant plate instead of the attractant light 180, making it possible to monitor pests P even when there is no power source to drive the drive means of the attractant light 180 or when it is unavailable. In the modified version of the pest monitoring device A5, the drive mechanism for the attractant light 180 is eliminated, thus simplifying the configuration and structure of the device A5.

[0113] (Other embodiments) Each of the above embodiments includes a disposal means 23, but is not limited thereto. For example, if the imaging unit body 21 can sufficiently accumulate the pests P killed during the entire monitoring period (a period corresponding to the device's maintenance cycle), then a disposal means 23 may not be necessary.

[0114] In each of the above embodiments, one insect trapping unit 10 is provided for each insect detection unit 20, but the invention is not limited to this, and multiple insect trapping units 10 (each with a different pheromone agent 18) may be provided for each insect P to be monitored.

[0115] In the first, third to fifth embodiments described above, the opening / closing means 14 and the disposal means 23 employ an automatic opening / closing shutter structure. However, the invention is not limited to this. For example, the bottom surfaces (opening / closing plates 15, 27) of the insect trapping unit body 11 and / or the imaging unit body 21 may be formed as a single plate, and this single plate may be configured to open and close (swing door structure) or slide in the left-right (horizontal) direction (sliding door structure) as an automatic opening / closing structure.

[0116] In the second to fifth embodiments described above, the moving means 50 is composed of a belt conveyor 51 or an inclined surface 52, but is not particularly limited as long as it can move the trapped pests P, for example, a rotary roller conveyor may also be used. Furthermore, the configuration is not limited to the pests P moving on a conveyor. For example, a common bottom surface that can move (slide) between the trapping unit body 11 and the shadow unit body 21 may be formed, and the trapped pests P lying on the common bottom surface may be moved by moving the common bottom surface with a conveyor.

[0117] In the third to fifth embodiments described above, the opening / closing means 14 is provided on the bottom surface of the insect trap body 11, i.e., at the boundary portion where the insect trap body 11 and the connecting portion 40 are connected, but is not limited to this. The opening / closing means 14 may also be provided on one side of the imaging unit body 21, i.e., at the boundary portion where the imaging unit body 21 and the connecting portion 40 are connected (the portion corresponding to the opening 8). Furthermore, the opening / closing means 14 may be provided on both the bottom surface of the insect trap body 11 and one side of the imaging unit body 21.

[0118] In the fourth embodiment described above, the moving means 50 is accompanied by a preventing means 60, an alignment means 70, and a reducing means 80, but is not limited thereto. The moving means 50 may be accompanied by or without the moving means 50, and one of the preventing means 60, the alignment means 70, and the reducing means 80 may be provided, or two or more of these means may be provided.

[0119] In the fifth embodiment and its modified form described above, an attraction hole 190 is provided instead of the opening formed on the upper surface of the attraction body 19 and the insect trap body 11. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the attraction body 19 and the opening may be provided instead of or together with the attraction hole 190. In other words, an attraction lamp 180 or an attraction plate may be used in combination with the attraction body 19 and the opening. It is preferable to use the attraction lamp 180 or an attraction plate and the attraction hole 190 in combination, as this attracts the pest P from above the insect trap body 11 with light (including reflected light).

[0120] <Applications of pest monitoring devices> The following uses are envisioned for the pest monitoring device disclosed herein. For research purposes, for example, it can be used to elucidate the detailed migration routes of migratory pests and the mechanisms of their mass outbreaks; and to understand the ecology of migratory pests and predict their outbreaks. For social applications, for example, it can be used to monitor and predict the outbreaks of pests on field crops, vegetables, fruit trees, flowers, and trees; to control and monitor pests that transmit infectious diseases; to serve as a foundational technology in plant quarantine; to support pesticide application decision-making based on pest outbreak data (smart agriculture technology); and to predict pest outbreaks using high-resolution outbreak data.

[0121] <Methods and systems for predicting pest outbreaks> Through previous studies, the applicant has proposed various technologies not only for collecting labor-saving pest occurrence information related to pest monitoring devices, but also for predicting pest occurrence and movement (for example, Otsuka et al. (2003), long-distance movement simulation model of rice planthoppers, research results information from the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization Central Agricultural Research Center; Tabuchi et al. (2017), spotted rice damage hazard map using a damage prediction model with land use information, research results information from the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization Tohoku Agricultural Research Center, etc.). One of the purposes of this disclosure is to use the above-mentioned pest monitoring device to predict future pest occurrences at target locations based on more detailed current or past pest occurrence information collected by the device and environmental data including meteorological data.

[0122] Specifically, this disclosure relates to a pest outbreak prediction system that predicts the future amount of pests at a target location. The system comprises a server and a pest monitoring device equipped with communication means, each installed at a plurality of locations including the target location and at least one other location different from the target location, wherein the server comprises a monitoring unit that monitors the amount of pests attracted and killed by the pest monitoring device based on images of pests taken by the device received from the device, and a prediction unit that predicts the future amount of pests at the target location based on the amount of pests and environmental data at the plurality of locations.

[0123] Furthermore, this disclosure relates to a pest outbreak prediction method for predicting future pest outbreaks at a target location. This method is characterized by comprising: a monitoring step of monitoring the amount of pests attracted and killed by pest monitoring devices equipped with communication means, which are installed at multiple locations including the target location and at least one other location different from the target location, based on images of pests taken by the devices; and a prediction step of predicting future pest outbreaks at the target location based on the amount of pests at the multiple locations and environmental data.

[0124] (Pest outbreak prediction system) Figure 11 shows a schematic configuration of the pest outbreak prediction system Sp according to this embodiment. The pest outbreak prediction system Sp is a system that predicts the future amount of pest outbreaks at a target location x (see Figure 12), and comprises a pest monitoring device A and a server C. The pest monitoring device A and the server C are connected via a network.

[0125] The pest monitoring device A can be any of the pest monitoring devices A1 to A5 according to the first to fifth embodiments described above (pest monitoring device A means any of pest monitoring devices A1 to A5). The pest monitoring device A is equipped with an antenna 31. In other words, the pest monitoring device A is configured to transmit images of captured pests P to the server C.

[0126] As shown in the diagram in Figure 12, the pest outbreak prediction system Sp monitors the amount of pests at multiple locations, including the target location x and at least one other location (other locations) a, b, c…, which are different from the target location x, as data necessary for outbreak prediction. In other words, pest monitoring devices A are installed at each of the multiple locations, including the target location x and at least one other location a, b, c…. In other words, the pest outbreak prediction system Sp uses multiple pest monitoring devices A. Note that the multiple pest monitoring devices A may be of the same type, or different types may be used in combination.

[0127] Other locations a, b, c, etc., could include, for example, locations adjacent to the target location x, locations within the habitat range of pest P, or locations within the range of movement of migratory pest P. Other locations a, b, c, etc. may be determined as appropriate based on meteorological data, environmental data, etc., as described later.

[0128] (server) As shown in Figure 11, Server C comprises at least a monitoring unit C1 and a prediction unit C2.

[0129] [Monitoring Department] The monitoring unit C1 monitors the amount of pests based on images of pests P received from the pest monitoring device A (for example, the image shown in Figure 7). The specific monitoring method is the same as described above, and the number of pests P that have been captured and killed is counted visually or automatically from the captured images of pests P. With the pest monitoring device A, it is possible to monitor the amount of pests at predetermined intervals (for example, every day) over a long period of time, so it is possible to understand the trend of pest P occurrence. In addition, the accumulated pest amount data may be used for occurrence prediction by performing statistical analysis in advance.

[0130] [Prediction section] The prediction unit C2 predicts the future amount of pests at the target location x. Data necessary for predicting pest outbreaks include, for example, the amount of pests at multiple locations acquired by the monitoring unit C1, weather data at those locations, environmental data including the weather data, and past pest outbreak data.

[0131] Examples of meteorological data include temperature, precipitation, and wind (wind volume, wind speed, wind direction). Examples of environmental data include the types of pests, cultivated crops, weeds, topography, altitude, geographical requirements such as urban or mountainous areas, and the types of work required for the cultivated crops. Hereafter, these data (including meteorological data) will be collectively referred to simply as "environmental data." Environmental data may be monitored, for example, by installing commercially available measuring devices near pest monitoring device A, or it may be obtained from the Japan Meteorological Agency or various websites.

[0132] In the prediction unit C2, as shown in Figure 12, pest quantity data, environmental data, and, if necessary, past pest outbreak data are integrated (combined) for each of the following locations (target location x, other locations a, b, c…), for each predetermined period (e.g., every day), or for a predetermined number of days (e.g., one week), and the future amount of pest outbreaks at target location x is analyzed using a prediction model generated by, for example, a known statistical model or an AI technology such as machine learning. For example, as shown in the flow chart of Figure 15, the future amount of pest outbreaks at target location x may be predicted by combining the amount of pest outbreaks calculated using various models (calculation algorithms) with environmental conditions such as cultivated crops A, B… and work α, β… corresponding to cultivated crops A, B… at each of the multiple locations or at each of the multiple locations.

[0133] 〔others〕 Server C may include a communication unit C0 that receives images of pests P captured by pest monitoring device A, and a database C3 that stores the images, pest quantity, environmental data, past pest outbreak data, and pest outbreak quantity predicted by prediction unit C2, such as an image database C31, a pest quantity database C32, an environmental database C33, a past database C34, and a pest outbreak quantity database C35.

[0134] (Method for predicting pest outbreaks) Next, the pest outbreak prediction method Mp according to this embodiment will be described based on the flowchart shown in Figure 13. The pest outbreak prediction method Mp is performed, for example, in the pest outbreak prediction system Sp shown in Figure 11. All matters applicable to the pest outbreak prediction system Sp are also applicable to the pest outbreak prediction method Mp. The pest outbreak prediction method Mp is a method for predicting the future amount of pests at a target location x, and comprises at least a monitoring step s3 and a prediction step s5. The pest outbreak prediction method Mp may also include a receiving step s1, storage steps s2, s4, s6, etc.

[0135] [Receiving process] In the receiving process s1, images of pests P (for example, the image shown in Figure 7) are received, which are captured by pest monitoring devices A installed at multiple locations and transmitted from the devices A. The receiving process s1 is performed by the communication unit C0 described above.

[0136] [Memory process (image storage process)] The system may also include an image storage step s2 in which the image of the pest P received in the receiving step s1 is stored in the image database C31.

[0137] [Monitoring process] In monitoring step s3, the amount of pests attracted and killed by pest monitoring devices A installed at multiple locations is monitored based on the image of the pest P received in receiving step s1 (the current or past amount of pests at multiple locations). Monitoring step s3 is performed by the monitoring unit C1 described above.

[0138] [Memory process (pest amount memory process)] The system may also include a pest quantity storage step s4 in which the amount of pests counted in the monitoring step is stored in the above-mentioned pest quantity database C32.

[0139] [Prediction process] In prediction step s5, the future amount of pests at target location x is predicted based on pest quantity and environmental data at multiple locations. Prediction step s5 is performed by the prediction unit C2 described above. Pest quantity data at multiple locations is read from the pest quantity database C32 described above. Environmental data is read from the environmental database C33 described above. In addition, past pest occurrence data may be read from the past database C34 described above, if necessary. In other words, the environmental database C33 and the past database C34 already store the data necessary for prediction step s5. Then, in prediction step s5, these multiple data are input into the statistical model and prediction model for prediction, and the future amount of pests is analyzed. Note that the pest quantity data at multiple locations may be configured to be input directly from the communication unit C0 to the prediction unit C2 without going through the pest quantity database C32, and may be input manually or automatically. Also, environmental data and past pest occurrence data may be input manually or automatically without going through the databases C33 and C34 described above, respectively.

[0140] [Memory process (memory process for the amount of pest occurrence)] The system may also include a pest outbreak amount storage step s6 in which the future pest outbreak amount predicted in the prediction step s5 at the target location x is stored in the above-mentioned pest outbreak amount database C35.

[0141] <Effects> According to the pest outbreak prediction system Sp and pest outbreak prediction method Mp configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

[0142] The pest outbreak prediction system Sp and pest outbreak prediction method Mp use pest quantity and environmental data from multiple locations, including the target location x and other locations a, b, c, etc., to predict future pest outbreaks at the target location x. This makes it possible to predict the occurrence of migratory pests P, which are difficult to predict based on pest quantity at a single location (target location x only) because they move on the wind, and it also enables outbreak predictions that take climate change into account. In particular, since migratory pests P have a certain movement pattern, it is expected that the accuracy of outbreak predictions can be improved by using pest quantity and environmental data from the source locations.

[0143] The pest outbreak prediction system Sp and pest outbreak prediction method Mp use the pest monitoring device A of this disclosure to monitor the amount of pests captured and killed by the device A over a long period of time at predetermined intervals (for example, every day). Therefore, the pest quantity data obtained is highly accurate, and by analyzing the occurrence status of pest P in more detail, it is expected that the accuracy of outbreak prediction will be improved.

[0144] Based on the above, the pest outbreak prediction system Sp and the pest outbreak prediction method Mp utilize high-precision pest quantity and environmental data from multiple locations to perform outbreak predictions that take into account the network structure of pest movement between locations (relationships regarding pest outbreaks between locations), thereby improving the accuracy of pest outbreak predictions.

[0145] <Pest Control Information Provision System> Furthermore, this disclosure also aims to provide information on predicted future pest outbreaks at the aforementioned target locations, as well as pest control information such as necessary pest control plans and pest control materials based on said outbreak predictions.

[0146] Specifically, this disclosure relates to a pest control information provision system that provides at least one piece of pest control information, including future pest outbreaks, pest control plans, and necessary materials, at a target location. The system comprises a terminal device for displaying the pest control information, pest monitoring devices equipped with communication means, each installed at a plurality of locations including the target location and at least one other location different from the target location, and a server. The server comprises a monitoring unit that monitors the amount of pests attracted and killed by the pest monitoring device based on images of pests taken by the device received from the device; a prediction unit that predicts the future amount of pests at the target location based on the amount of pests and environmental data at the multiple locations; a database that stores at least one piece of data on a pest control plan and necessary materials linked to the amount of pests predicted by the prediction unit; and an identification unit that identifies at least one piece of information on a pest control plan and necessary materials at the target location from the database based on the amount of pests predicted by the prediction unit. The terminal device is characterized by displaying the future amount of pests at the target location received from the server, and at least one piece of information on a pest control plan and necessary materials at the target location identified by the identification unit.

[0147] Figure 14 shows a schematic configuration of the pest control information provision system Si according to this embodiment. The pest control information provision system Si is a system that provides (displays) pest control information to, for example, a terminal device T.

[0148] Pest control information includes, for example, the future amount of pests at target location x, the pest control plan for target location x, and the materials necessary for pest control at target location x (necessary materials). The future amount of pests includes, for example, information such as the type of pest and its predicted occurrence (occurrence time, amount). The pest control plan includes, for example, information such as measures to prepare for pest damage. Necessary materials include, for example, information such as the type of pesticide, the amount to be used, and the timing of use. Pest control information only needs to include at least one of these pieces of information, and may also include other information not listed above.

[0149] The pest control information provision system Si, as shown in Figure 14, comprises at least a terminal device T, a pest monitoring device A, and a server C. The terminal device T or pest monitoring device A and the server C are connected via a network.

[0150] (Terminal device) Terminal device T has the function of transmitting location information of target point x to server C and displaying pest control information received from server C. Therefore, terminal device T is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of sending and receiving data with server C and displaying pest control information, and examples of such devices are similar to the electronic devices described above.

[0151] (Pest monitoring device) The pest monitoring device A has the same configuration as the pest monitoring device A used in the pest outbreak prediction system Sp and pest outbreak prediction method Mp described above, and all matters relating to device A also apply to the pest control information provision system Si.

[0152] (server) Server C comprises at least a monitoring unit C1, a prediction unit C2, a database C3, and a specific unit C4.

[0153] [Monitoring Department] The monitoring unit C1 has the same configuration as the monitoring unit C1 used in the aforementioned pest outbreak prediction system Sp, and all matters relating to the monitoring unit C1 also apply to the pest control information provision system Si.

[0154] [Prediction section] The prediction unit C2 has the same configuration as the prediction unit C2 used in the aforementioned pest outbreak prediction system Sp, and all matters relating to the prediction unit C2 also apply to the pest control information provision system Si.

[0155] [Database] Database C3 comprises at least one of the following: a pest outbreak database C35 that stores the future amount of pest outbreaks at target location x predicted by the prediction unit C2; a planning database C36 that stores pest control plans linked to the amount of pest outbreaks; and a materials database C37 that stores necessary materials linked to the amount of pest outbreaks. In other words, database C3 stores at least one of the above-mentioned data: pest outbreak amount, pest control plan, and necessary materials. Here, "linked to the amount of pest outbreaks" means, for example, a pest control plan or necessary materials corresponding to the amount of pest outbreaks. For example, multiple pest control plans and necessary materials for each amount of pest outbreak may be stored in each database C36 and C37, or the pest control plans and necessary materials may be analyzed based on a prediction model derived from the amount of pest outbreaks. Server C may also include each of the above-mentioned databases C31 to C34 as needed.

[0156] [Specific section] The identification unit C4 identifies (picks up) the future pest outbreak amount at target location x from the pest outbreak amount database C35 based on the location data of target location x received from terminal device T. The location data of target location x may be determined, for example, by identifying the region (target location x) to which the access point belongs from the IP address of terminal device T that is using (accessing) the pest control information provision system Si, or it may be directly input from terminal device T. The pest outbreak amount may also be configured to be directly input from the prediction unit C2 to the identification unit C4 without going through the pest outbreak amount database C35.

[0157] Furthermore, the identification unit C4 identifies (picks up) a pest control plan for target location x from the planning database C36 and necessary materials for target location x from the materials database C37, based on the future pest outbreak amount at the identified target location x. In other words, the pest control plan and necessary materials corresponding to target location x are identified based on the predicted future pest outbreak amount at target location x. As mentioned above, the identification unit C4 may also be configured to identify the pest control plan and necessary materials through analysis based on the said pest outbreak amount. For example, as shown in the flow chart of Figure 15, the prediction unit C2 predicts the future pest outbreak amount at target location x by combining the pest outbreak amount calculated using various models (calculation algorithms) with environmental conditions such as cultivated crops A, B, etc. and work α, β, etc. corresponding to cultivated crops A, B, etc. at multiple locations x or at multiple locations x. Next, in the specific section C4, for each predicted future pest outbreak, pest control information such as the necessity (amount used) and type of corresponding pesticide materials P, Q, etc. may be identified.

[0158] 〔others〕 Server C may include a communication unit C0, which has functions such as receiving location data of target location x from terminal device T, receiving images of pests P taken from pest monitoring device A, and transmitting pest control information identified by the identification unit C4 to terminal device T.

[0159] <Effects> The pest control information provision system Si, configured as described above, can provide the following benefits.

[0160] The pest control information provision system Si displays highly accurate future pest outbreak predictions tailored to the region, along with pest control plans based on these predictions and necessary materials, on the terminal device T. By advertising and presenting information such as pesticides to be used and their application methods, along with pest outbreak predictions, it is possible to implement appropriate pest control measures and increase the willingness to purchase and use necessary materials.

[0161] The Si pest control information provision system allows for the prediction of pest outbreaks at multiple locations, thus enabling wide-area pest control. [Industrial applicability]

[0162] This disclosure can be applied to devices for monitoring pests on crops and other agricultural products. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0163] A1~A5(A) Pest Monitoring Device S1 Attraction space S2 Shooting Space S3 Storage Space S4 connectivity space P Pest v Microvibration 1 Installation stand 2 Installation poles 5 partition plates 6~8 aperture 10 Pest Attraction Department 11 Seduction Department Body 12. Attracting means 13 Insecticides 14 Opening and closing means 15 Opening / Closing Plate 16 Rotation axis 17 Driving means 18 Pheromone products 19. Main body for attracting plants 20 Pest Photography Department 21 Main unit of the camera unit 23. Disposal methods 24 partition plates 25 Lid member 26 Pest collection box 27 Opening / Closing Plate 28 rotational axes 29 Driving means 30. Methods of Photography 31 Antenna (means of communication) 40 Connection part 50 Means of Transportation 51 Belt conveyor 52 Slopes 60 Preventive measures 70 Alignment means 80 Reduction means 120 Attractant means 180 Inducing Lights 190 Inducement holes Pp Pest Outbreak Prediction Method s1 Receiving process s2, s4, s6 memory process s3 Monitoring process s5 Prediction process SP Pest Outbreak Prediction System Si Pest Control Information Provision System x Target location a,b,c other points C Server C0 Communications Department C1 Monitoring Department C2 Prediction Unit C3 Database C31 Image Database C32 Pest Quantity Database C33 Environmental Database C34 Past Database C35 Pest Outbreak Database C35 Pest Outbreak Database C36 Planning Database C37 Materials Database C4 Specific part T terminal device

Claims

1. A monitoring device for monitoring pests, A pest trapping unit comprises a partitioned space for trapping and killing pests, an attracting means for luring pests into the trapping space, and an insecticide for killing the pests attracted by the attracting means. The insect photography unit comprises a partitioned space for photographing insects that have been attracted and killed by the aforementioned insect trapping unit, The insect photographing unit comprises a photographing means for photographing insects present in the photographing space, The trapping space and the imaging space are separated within the device so that the trapped pests can move from the trapping space to the imaging space. A pest monitoring device characterized in that an opening and closing mechanism is provided between the pest trapping unit and the pest imaging unit, allowing trapped pests to pass through from the trapping space to the imaging space.

2. The insect monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the photographing means is positioned above the insects present in the photographing space of the insect photographing unit.

3. The pest monitoring device according to claim 1, characterized in that between the pest trapping unit and the pest imaging unit, at least one of the following is provided: a moving means for moving the trapped pests from the trapping space toward the imaging space; a preventing means for preventing the pests from overlapping; an aligning means for aligning the pests; and a reducing means for reducing pest contamination caused by the pests.

4. A monitoring device for monitoring pests, A pest trapping unit comprises a partitioned space for trapping and killing pests, an attracting means for luring pests into the trapping space, and an insecticide for killing the pests attracted by the attracting means. The insect photography unit comprises a partitioned space for photographing insects that have been attracted and killed by the aforementioned insect trapping unit, The insect photographing unit comprises a photographing means for photographing insects present in the photographing space, The trapping space and the imaging space are separated within the device so that the trapped pests can move from the trapping space to the imaging space. The aforementioned monitoring device is characterized in that, when viewed from the front, it is arranged in a two-tiered structure in a single row horizontally, or in a stepped manner, and the imaging means is positioned above the insects present in the imaging space of the insect imaging unit.

5. The pest monitoring device according to claim 4, wherein between the pest trapping unit and the pest imaging unit, at least one of the following is provided, extending from the trapping space toward the imaging space: an opening and closing means that allows trapped pests to pass through, a moving means that moves the pests, a preventing means that prevents the pests from overlapping, an aligning means that aligns the pests, and a reduction means that reduces pest contamination caused by the pests.

6. Between the insect trapping unit and the insect imaging unit, a connecting section is provided, which is a connecting space that connects the insect trapping space and the insect imaging space. The connecting portion is formed with the moving means, The pest monitoring device according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that the moving means is a slope that partitions the connection space and slopes downward from the trapping space toward the photography space.

7. The pest monitoring device according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the opening and closing means is configured as an automatic opening and closing shutter structure.

8. The pest monitoring device according to claim 7, characterized in that the opening and closing means automatically opens and closes at predetermined times or at set intervals, moving the attracted pests from the attracting space into the shooting space, and the shooting means automatically photographs the pests present in the shooting space.

9. The pest monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a disposal means for disposing of pests photographed by the aforementioned photographing means.

10. The pest monitoring device according to claim 9, characterized in that the disposal means is configured to have an automatically opening and closing shutter structure that allows pests to pass through.

11. The pest monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a communication means for wirelessly transmitting images of pests captured by the aforementioned photographic means.

Images