Researchers Test An Automated System To Detect Invasive Hornets

Researchers from the University of Exeter in the UK have developed VespAI, a deep-learning system designed to detect invasive Asian hornets.

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Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, have wreaked havoc across mainland Europe and parts of east Asia, and have recently been sighted in the USA in the states of Georgia and South Carolina. Therefore, the urgency to contain their spread has become greater.

The prototype test system comprises a monitoring station designed to attract hornets, which includes an overhead camera that captures images of all the hornetsized insects that visit the station. The system remains dormant until an insect matching these criteria visits the station.