Our team visited a mango farm in Onna-son to speak directly with local farmers. We discussed various challenges they face, identified which mango varieties are targeted by thrips, learned about their current pest management strategies, and heard their expectations for future pest control solutions.
We used this information to develop a strategy for our thrips pest control system.
Early detection and rapid countermeasures are essential for effectively eradicating pests, such as tea thrips. Okinawa, in particular, consists of numerous remote islands, requiring a system to prevent pests from entering or leaving at border points.
We are developing a "DNA-detecting smart trap" as an early detection solution applicable to various pests. This trap utilizes accurate and rapid detection technology based on methods validated by previous research. The smart trap is expected to provide three significant advantages:
Firstly, by changing its internal components, this trap can detect not only tea thrips but also a wide variety of other pests. This flexibility enables the early detection of newly introduced pests and invasive species.
Secondly, once installed, the trap automatically carries out all processes, from capturing pests to DNA analysis. Detection results are immediately sent to the installer through integrated communication devices, eliminating the need for frequent maintenance and significantly reducing the required manpower.
Finally, by deploying these traps extensively across the prefecture, it will become possible to identify critical points along pest migration routes, enabling targeted and efficient pest extermination.
We revisited the mango farm in Onna-son to collect thrip samples and extract their DNA. This process is a crucial step for developing and testing our LAMP-based DNA detection system—a rapid, accurate, and portable method for quickly identifying pest infestations in the field. We will perform molecular biology experiments (PCR) to determine which type of thrips (YT-type or C-type) we have collected.
