Geospatial Artificial Intelligence Infused into a Smartphone Drone Application for Implementing 'Seek and Destroy' in Uganda
Benjamin George Jacob,
Denis Loum,
Martha Kaddumukasa,
Joseph Kamgno,
Hugues Nana Djeunga,
André Domche,
Philip Nwane,
Joseph Mwangangi,
Santiago Hernandez Bojorge,
Jeegan Parikh,
Jesse Casanova,
Ricardo Izureta,
Edwin Micheal,
Thomas Mason,
Alfred Mubangizi
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 4, December 2021
Pages:
92-109
Received:
10 August 2021
Accepted:
28 September 2021
Published:
5 November 2021
Abstract: This study provided important insights into new, real time, control measures at reducing larval, vector density [Macro Seek and Destroy (S&D) and blood parasite level [Micro S&D] in a malaria treated and suspected intervened population. Initially, this study employed a low-cost (< $1000) drone (DJI Phantom) for eco-geographically locating, water bodies including natural water bodies, irrigated rice paddies, cultivated swamps, ditches, ponds, and other geolocations, which are among the common breeding sites for Anopheles mosquitoes in Gulu district of Northern Uganda. Our hypothesis was that by integrating real time, scaled up, sentinel site, spectral signature, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone imagery with satellite data using geospatial artificial intelligence [geo-AI] infused into an iOS application (app), a local, vector control officer could retrieve a ranked list of visually similar, breeding site, aquatic foci of An.gambiae s.l. arabiensis s.s. fuentsus s.s. mosquitoes, and their respective district-level, capture point, GPS indexed, centroid coordinates. We real time retrieved (hence, no lag time between seasonal, aquatic, Anopheles, larval habitat, mapping and treatment of foci) each georeferenced sentinel site signature which was subsequently archived in the drone dashboard spectral library using the smartphone app. Each georeferenced, UAV sensed, capture point was inspected using a mobile field team (i.e., trained local village residents led by a vector control officer) on the same day the habitats were geo-AI signature mapped, spatially forecasted and treated. A second hypothesis was that a real time, environmentally friendly, habitat alteration [i.e., Macro S&D] could reduce vector larval habitat density and blood parasite levels in treated and not suspected malaria patients at an entomological intervention site. A third hypothesis was: timely malaria diagnosis and treatment [Micro S&D] is associated with low population parasitemia and lower malaria incidences. In 31 days post-Macro S&D intervention, there was zero vector density, indoor, adult, female, Anopheles count as ascertained by pyrethrum spray catch at the intervention site. After a mean average of 62 days, blood parasite levels revealed a mean 0 count in timely diagnosed suspected and treated malaria patients. Implementing a real time Macro and Micro S&D intervention tool along with other existing tools [insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying of insecticides (IRS)] in an entomological district-level intervention site can lower seasonal malaria prevalence either through timely modification of aquatic, Anopheles, larval habitats or through precisely targeted larvicide interventions.
Abstract: This study provided important insights into new, real time, control measures at reducing larval, vector density [Macro Seek and Destroy (S&D) and blood parasite level [Micro S&D] in a malaria treated and suspected intervened population. Initially, this study employed a low-cost (< $1000) drone (DJI Phantom) for eco-geographically locating, water bodies including natural water bodies, irrigated rice paddies, cultivated swamps, ditches, ponds, and other geolocations, which are among the common breeding sites for Anopheles mosquitoes in Gulu district of Northern Uganda. Our hypothes...
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Cohort Development and Population Growth of Amblydromalus hum (Acari: Phytoseiidae) on Citrus Red Mite in Comparison to Maize Pollen
Judith Kiptoo,
Daniel Mutisya,
Paul Ndegwa,
Lucy Irungu,
Mustansar Mubeen
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 4, December 2021
Pages:
110-115
Received:
11 August 2021
Accepted:
2 November 2021
Published:
12 November 2021
Abstract: Phytoseiidae mites suppress pest mites and small arthropods below injury levels. A study on cohort life stage of Amblydromalus hum Pritchard & Baker was carried out to determine development and growth of the Phytosiidae mite. General observation showed a lower turnover of the larval stage to the Protonymph stage from the 12th day onward, probably this could be attributed to some cannibalism taking place where adults could prey on the larvae and the nymphal stages. Significantly, the larvae were most abundant within 21 days when A. hum was fed E. africanus showing a cohort life stage composition of 39% overall population among other motile life stages. Similarly, same larvae appeared significantly most abundant when feed on maize pollen at 61% over other cohort life stage within a period of 4 days. Female adults starved death by 3rd day and were found not to lay eggs within the period. It was observed that female adult A. hum did not live beyond the 3rd day when 100% mortalities occurred where maize. The study results showed that A. hum preference for E, africanus prey over maize pollen limited the predator’s survival in the absence of the preferred diet and hence need to explore alternative substrates in citrus orchards to boost information on how to conserve the beneficial predator in citrus production.
Abstract: Phytoseiidae mites suppress pest mites and small arthropods below injury levels. A study on cohort life stage of Amblydromalus hum Pritchard & Baker was carried out to determine development and growth of the Phytosiidae mite. General observation showed a lower turnover of the larval stage to the Protonymph stage from the 12th day onward, probably t...
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Specific Determination and Evaluation of the Damage of the Tamarind Fruit Borer (Tamarindus indica L.) in Villaflores, Chiapas, Mexico
Fabiola Aguilar Castillo,
Carlos Joaquin Morales Morales,
Jesus Romero Napoles,
Eduardo Aguilar Astudillo,
Jorge Alejandro Espinosa Moreno
Issue:
Volume 5, Issue 4, December 2021
Pages:
116-123
Received:
25 October 2021
Accepted:
13 November 2021
Published:
19 November 2021
Abstract: The cultivation of tamarind in the producing regions of Mexico and in backyard trees is affected by insects that feed on the fruit, causing losses in yield and quality; Among the insects is the tamarind fruit and seed borer. The objective of this work was to specifically determine and evaluate the damage caused by the fruit borer. Samples were carried out in 10 tamarind trees, five trees in a backyard and five trees in a plantation established in the Álvaro Obregon community of the municipality of Villaflores, Chiapas. The collections were made directly and through the fruits with signs of the presence of the borer. For the evaluation of the damage, the total fruits of 10 trees were collected where the total number of fruits and the number of fruits infested by the borer were quantified and in this way the percentage of damaged fruits was calculated. The tamarind fruit borer was determined as the Caryedon gonagra (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) species, originally from the old world Africa, of the monophyletic group, because which is reported for the states of Colima and Morelos, this report is considered the first record for the State of Chiapas. Adults are 4 to 6 mm in length, and are characterized by presenting the prothorax in a subrectangular shape, the body slightly elongated, with golden pubescence with black or light brown spots, sometimes with small dark brown spots scattered throughout the body. differing especially in the elytra and hind legs. In the field, the initial infestation of the tamarind fruit borer in the state of Chiapas occurs at the beginning of November when the female oviposits the eggs in the middle of the tree on the tamarind pods, regardless of size. and fruit development. The damage begins when the larva penetrates the pod reaching the seed of the fruit, until reaching the adult stage, affecting 7,108 fruits, which is equivalent to 26,400 g, which represents 35.76% of the total production per tree. Regarding the weight of the tamarind fruit by C. gonagra, there is a reduction in weight of 9.341 g tree-1, that is, it affects 11.24% the production of tamarind per tree.
Abstract: The cultivation of tamarind in the producing regions of Mexico and in backyard trees is affected by insects that feed on the fruit, causing losses in yield and quality; Among the insects is the tamarind fruit and seed borer. The objective of this work was to specifically determine and evaluate the damage caused by the fruit borer. Samples were carr...
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