Innovation has no age limit, as evidenced by the ingenuity of young inventors who developed innovative solutions to deal with the constant nuisance caused by pesky flies in urban environments.
(Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 26: A dead red carnation fly perches on a tree in Inwood Hill Park on September 26, 2022 in New York City.
Fusion of nature and technology
An 18-year-old innovator from New Jersey has developed a solar-powered device aimed at tackling the problem of the Lambo fly invading urban areas.
Serena Chan first encountered these pests as a child in elementary school, fascinated by their presence at a market near her hometown of Annandale.
Known as ArTreeficial, this innovative piece represents a fusion of nature and technology, resembling a tree energized by the sun. ArTreeficial works on smart technology principles and utilizes sophisticated mechanisms to not only attract pesky flies but also effectively eliminate them.
Intelligent Engineering reported that this solar-powered invention, through its intelligent design, provides cities with a sustainable and efficient means of mitigating the nuisance caused by ubiquitous insects.
The insect, with its striking black polka-dotted forewings and red underwings, has been wreaking havoc on New Jersey's local agriculture sector for years and remains a seemingly insurmountable problem for the city.
Innovative solutions for invasive pest control
ArTreeficial is a solar-powered, self-cleaning, AI-powered “tree” designed to attract and trap the invasive spotted fly, potentially offering a solution to combating its proliferation. Traps use electronic mesh to eliminate pests.
Zhang conducted extensive field observations over several weeks and carefully recorded the behavioral patterns of the lanterns. She carefully monitored their growth trajectory and tendency to cluster in particular structures and locations.
Armed with his observations, Zhang decided to use an umbrella on his family's terrace to imitate the tree of heaven, a favorite habitat for the spotted orchid.
According to a report in Smithsonian Magazine, the researchers engineered an electrical system in the trees and used machine learning algorithms to quickly kill the tree flies.
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Known for their voracious appetites, the Spotted Orchid eats a wide variety of plants, including a variety of fruits, ornamental trees, and woody plants.
Although this invasive pest poses no direct harm to humans or animals, its presence can severely disrupt the quality of life in infested areas. A nuisance in outdoor spaces, these insects are known to lay egg masses on trees and even cars.
Recognizing the threat this invasive species poses to the Garden Nation, Zhang decided to take on the problem himself. Traditional methods often use pesticides to prevent infestations, but such approaches can inadvertently harm important pollinators and leave harmful residues.
Related article: Scientists discover new insect killer, promises environmentally friendly pest control
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