Tracking insect population densities and activities using an entomological stand-off optical sensor

The most prevalent method for the survey of insect populations is based on trapping the specimens, followed by laboratory analysis. While this provides detailed information on insect characteristics such as species or sex, it suffers from important limitations: poor temporal resolution and small number of observed insects. Optical sensors constitute an exciting alternative to collect entomological data as they can observe a number insects orders of magnitude larger with a temporal resolution in the minute range. In this contribution, the results of a field campaign using a stand-off optical sensor is presented and discussed. The population density of flying insects was continuously measured for a period of three months which is, to the best of our knowledge, the longest continuous recording of insect population densities. A portable weather station allowed for the detailed study of the circadian rhythm and activities of insect populations with meteorological events and atmospheric conditions. Furthermore, with recordings starting during late Summer and ending in Fall, the collected data provides some information on the seasonal change of insect population in Secaucus New Jersey.