Next-gen OSR pest monitoring tool aids drilling decisions
© Bayer A major agchem company has launched the next generation of its digital pest monitoring tool for oilseed rape pests, which aims to help growers with their rapeseed drilling decisions.
Building on the proven MagicTrap concept, the new device from Bayer has been enhanced with an upgraded camera and improved connectivity.
See also: Smart trap alerts OSR growers to pest threats
MagicTrap is Bayer’s fully automated digital yellow water trap for oilseed rape pests, which helps growers monitor pest pressure remotely by capturing images from the field and making the analysed results available through the MagicScout app on a smartphone.
The tool autonomously detects, categorises and quantifies a wide range of insects and pests, including flea beetle, pollen beetle and weevils, while distinguishing between pests and other insects.
One key example of its use is in monitoring cabbage stem flea beetle numbers which helps growers time their OSR drilling after the peak migration of adults, thereby reducing the risk of crop losses.
Upgraded camera
Bayer pointed out that a key improvement is its camera system, which now combines a higher resolution with autofocus to deliver sharper images for pest monitoring.
The integrated flash ensures clear pictures even in low-light conditions, enabling reliable automated analysis across more field situations.
The device also brings important advances in connectivity and ease of use, with an enhanced antenna for stronger signal and updated LED indicators showing battery status and signal strength directly on the device, making set-up and in-field checks more straightforward.
“With MagicTrap 2, we are setting a new standard for digital pest monitoring in terms of robustness, precision and reliability,” said Max Dafforn, digital lead EMEA for Bayer UK.
“The improved technology helps with day-to-day field use and provides a strong foundation for future tools that will continue to support British farmers in managing pest pressure more effectively.”
