US researchers develop Z-Trap

Researchers at the US Purdue University (West Lafayette, Indiana) have developed an electronic insect trapping device that can automatically inform growers and pesticide consultants of pest numbers via a smartphone application. The Z-Trap is being commercialised by Spensa Technologies through the Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization. The traps are being used to collect data on codling moths, oriental fruit moths and leaf rollers in apple orchards. However, Spensa expects them to prove suitable for use on other fruit crops, nuts, vegetables and field crops.