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ecoPi:Bug

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The ecoPi series are a collection of modular devices we developed and built based on the implementation of an economical Raspberry Pi single-board computer (RPi, Raspberry Pi Foundation).


What is the ecoPi:Bug?

The ecoPi:Bug is an insect camera trap. It enables an automated, visual recording of insect abundance.

The ecoPi:Bug was developed within the framework of the BfN (German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation) project NatForWINSENT II. The project aims to derive and test avoidance measures for bats and birds at wind turbines. Since it is generally assumed that the occurrence of bats at wind turbines correlates with the prevailing insect density, the investigation of nocturnal insect abundance is also part of this project.

One particular challenge in this project was to record insects at measuring masts at heights of up to 100m, in an automated manner, with high temporal resolution (several recordings per night).
More information about the project can be found in our NatForWINSENT II portfolio article.


How does the ecoPi:Bug work?

Many nocturnal insects exhibit a positive phototactic response meaning that they attracted to light sources, in particular to ultraviolet (UV) light. The ecoPi:Bug contains a panel which is illuminated by UV light, this functions as a lure, attracting positive phototactic insects. This plate is illuminated for a certain period of time, termed the „lure phase“, after which the UV light panel is switched off. Directly before and after the „lure phase“ a photo of the light lure panel is taken through use of an infrared lamp and an infrared camera. This provides a photographic record of the insects on the light lure surface.

Simultaneously, before and after images of the area surrounding the ecoPi:Bug are taken to record insects in the airspace in close proximity to the device. For these images a large infrared lamp illuminates the surrounding environment briefly and an infrared camera records an image of the environment. In this way insects which are not phototactic but are active in the air close to the camera traps are also recorded.

The ecoPi:Bug can be accessed remotely via a GSM modem. This enables monitoring of the insect camera trap and functional adjustments, if necessary, (e.g. the length of the „lure phase“ of the UV light panel can be adapted remotely).
A value for insect abundance, in terms of insect biomass, is then calculated from the insect coverage of the light lure panel.


How is the ecoPi:Bug constructed?

The ecoPi:Bug consists of two robust plastic boxes connected via an aluminum extension arm. The main box houses the central technical components and the infrared camera for capturing images of the surrounding environment. The UV light lure panel is located in the lid of the main box.
The mini-box, situated on the extension arm facing the light lure panel, contains an infrared camera and a small infrared lamp. These are used to take images of the light lure panel. The large infrared lamp for illuminating the surrounding environment is mounted on top of the main box.
The whole system runs self-sufficiently, with power supplied via a solar panel and a battery module.


  • An ecoPi:Bug installed on site.
    © OekoFor GbR
  • Flexible use of the ecoPi:Bug, here at a height of 100m.
    © OekoFor GbR

Typical applications

The ecoPi:Bug can be used flexibly as a stand-alone device for assessing the abundance of phototactic insects. The devices require very little maintenance and enable a cost-effective form of monitoring, which can be implemented over long recording periods.

Qualitative statements about the predominant insect occurrence can to some extent be made based on the high-resolution images captured. From these images it is possible to identify individual insects to the family, genus or even species level.

News

August 2021
  • Devices were set up with remote access in order to facilitate external adjustments of device settings and enable remote access to recorded data via cloud storage. These features were successfully used for insect abundance surveys in the wind test field (NatForWinsentII).

    More information about remote access options can be found in this blog-post.