Abstract: A color-based imaging system and method for the detection and classification of insects and other arthropods are described, including devices for counting arthropods and providing taxonomic capabilities useful for pest-management. Some embodiments include an image sensor (for example, a digital color camera, scanner or a video camera) with optional illumination that communicates with a computer system. Some embodiments include a color scanner connected to a computer. Sampled arthropods are put on a scanner to be counted and identified. The computer captures images from the scanner, adjusts scanner settings, and processes the acquired images to detect and identify the arthropods. Other embodiments include a trapping device and a digital camera connected by cable or wireless communications to the computer. Some devices include a processor to do the detection and identification in the field, or the field system can send the images to a centralized host computer for detection and identification.

Abstract: A color-based imaging system and method for the detection and classification of insects and other arthropods are described, including devices for counting arthropods and providing taxonomic capabilities useful for pest-management. Some embodiments include an image sensor (for example, a digital color camera, scanner or a video camera) with optional illumination that communicates with a computer system. Some embodiments include a color scanner connected to a computer. Sampled arthropods are put on a scanner to be counted and identified. The computer captures images from the scanner, adjusts scanner settings, and processes the acquired images to detect and identify the arthropods. Other embodiments include a trapping device and a digital camera connected by cable or wireless communications to the computer. Some devices include a processor to do the detection and identification in the field, or the field system can send the images to a centralized host computer for detection and identification.

Abstract: A color-based imaging system and method for the detection and classification of insects and other arthropods are described, including devices for counting arthropods and providing taxonomic capabilities useful for pest-management. Some embodiments include an image sensor (for example, a digital color camera, scanner or a video camera) with optional illumination that communicates with a computer system. Some embodiments include a color scanner connected to a computer. Sampled arthropods are put on a scanner to be counted and identified. The computer captures images from the scanner, adjusts scanner settings, and processes the acquired images to detect and identify the arthropods. Other embodiments include a trapping device and a digital camera connected by cable or wireless communications to the computer. Some devices include a processor to do the detection and identification in the field, or the field system can send the images to a centralized host computer for detection and identification.

Abstract: A color-based imaging system and method for the detection and classification of insects and other arthropods are described, including devices for counting arthropods and providing taxonomic capabilities useful for pest-management. Some embodiments include an image sensor (for example, a digital color camera, scanner or a video camera) with optional illumination that communicates with a computer system. Some embodiments include a color scanner connected to a computer. Sampled arthropods are put on a scanner to be counted and identified. The computer captures images from the scanner, adjusts scanner settings, and processes the acquired images to detect and identify the arthropods. Other embodiments include a trapping device and a digital camera connected by cable or wireless communications to the computer. Some devices include a processor to do the detection and identification in the field, or the field system can send the images to a centralized host computer for detection and identification.

Abstract: A color-based imaging system and method for the detection and classification of insects and other arthropods are described, including devices for counting arthropods and providing taxonomic capabilities useful for pest-management. Some embodiments include an image sensor (for example, a digital color camera, scanner or a video camera) with optional illumination that communicates with a computer system. Some embodiments include a color scanner connected to a computer. Sampled arthropods are put on a scanner to be counted and identified. The computer captures images from the scanner, adjusts scanner settings, and processes the acquired images to detect and identify the arthropods. Other embodiments include a trapping device and a digital camera connected by cable or wireless communications to the computer. Some devices include a processor to do the detection and identification in the field, or the field system can send the images to a centralized host computer for detection and identification.

Abstract: A color-based imaging system and method for the detection and classification of insects and other arthropods are described, including devices for counting arthropods and providing taxonomic capabilities useful for pest-management. Some embodiments include an image sensor (for example, a digital color camera, scanner or a video camera) with optional illumination that communicates with a computer system. Some embodiments include a color scanner connected to a computer. Sampled arthropods are put on a scanner to be counted and identified. The computer captures images from the scanner, adjusts scanner settings, and processes the acquired images to detect and identify the arthropods. Other embodiments include a trapping device and a digital camera connected by cable or wireless communications to the computer. Some devices include a processor to do the detection and identification in the field, or the field system can send the images to a centralized host computer for detection and identification.

Abstract: A infection chamber for control and extermination of insects, including roaches, flying insects such as the housefly, and other insects such as the adult form of the corn rootworm by infection of the insects with a fungus that can be pathogenic when administered to the insects in a sufficiently high concentration. The chamber maintains the spores of a fungus pathogenic to the insects in a viable form, protecting the fungi from the environment (including rain, ultraviolet light and the wind), serves as an attractant for the insects, and serves to inoculate the insects with high numbers of spores. Although the primary means of infection is by external contact, the insects may also be infected by contact with each other and by ingestion of the spores. The two most preferred entomopathogenic fungi are Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, although other fungi can be used which are pathogenic when the insect is inoculated via the infection chamber.

Abstract: A convenient, economical, non-toxic and effective apparatus for the control of roaches by administration of entomopathogenic fungi to the cockroaches. The roaches are exposed to the fungi in a contamination chamber having openings through which the cockroaches enter and come in contact with a living culture of a fungus which is pathogenic to cockroaches. The fungal spores attach to the roach, germinate and penetrate into the body of the cockroach, resulting in the death of the infected roach. Death takes approximately two to three weeks after contact with the culture. During this time, the infected roach disseminates spores of the pathogenic fungus throughout the infested areas which may subsequently infect other roaches. Given the proper environmental conditions, the fungus sporulates on the cadaver of the roach and the conidia can be transmitted to other cockroaches, resulting in a further spread of the disease.

Abstract: A method for control and extermination of flying insects, especially the housefly, by infection of the insects with an entomopathogenic fungus, preferably soil-dwelling fungi, by means of an infection chamber. The chamber maintains the spores of a fungus pathogenic to the insects in a viable form, serves as an attractant for the insects, and serves to inoculate the insects with high numbers of spores. The spores attach to the insects and originate germ tubes that penetrate into the insect, resulting in death within three to four days. The chamber design, i.e., shape and color, can be the sole attractants for the insects. Alternatively, food or scents can be used to further enhance the attraction of the insects for the chamber. Although the primary means of infection is by external contact with the fungal growth, the insects may also be infected by contact with each other and by ingestion of the spores.

Abstract: A convenient, economical, non-toxic and effective method and means for the control of roaches by administration of entomopathogenic fungi to the cockroaches. In the preferred embodiment, the roaches are exposed to the fungi by means of a contamination chamber having openings through which the cockroaches enter and come in contact with a living culture of a fungus which is pathogenic to cockroaches. The fungal spores attach to the roach, germinate and penetrate into the body of the cockroach, resulting in the death of the infected roach. Death takes approximately two to three weeks after contact with the culture. During this time, the infected roach disseminates spores of the pathogenic fungus throughout the infested areas which may subsequently infect other roaches. Given the proper environmental conditions, the fungus sporulates on the cadaver of the roach and the conidia can be transmitted to other cockroaches, resulting in a further spread of the disease.

Abstract: A method for control and extermination of insects, including roaches, flying insects such as the housefly, and other insects such as the adult form of the corn rootworm by infection of the insects with a fungus that can be pathogenic when administered to the insects in a sufficiently high concentration, by means of an infection chamber. The chamber maintains the spores of a fungus pathogenic to the insects in a viable form, protecting the fungi from the environment (including rain, ultraviolet light and the wind), serves as an attractant for the insects, and serves to inoculate the insects with high numbers of spores. Although the primary means of infection is by external contact, the insects may also be infected by contact with each other and by ingestion of the spores. The two most preferred entomopathogenic fungi are Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, although other fungi can be used which are pathogenic when the insect is inoculated via the infection chamber.