Intelligent pest control: AI-driven solutions for sustainable agroecosystems through remote surveillance and descriptive modelling

Recent climate changes pose significant challenges to phytosanitary management, particularly in pest control, due to fluctuating temperatures and irregular precipitation patterns disrupting the life cycles of acclimated species. In addition, human activities in trade have facilitated the introduction of exotic species with severe impacts on the agriculture sector. Developing effective control techniques using artificial intelligence (AI) is crucial to better planning activities in integrated pest management. This project focuses on studying Ceratitis capitata to update information about its life cycle and to assess its response to Bactrocera dorsalis invasion, recently recorded in southern Italy. With traditional and electronic traps and self-produced agrometeorological smart stations, predictive models are being developed as crucial tools for better planning phytosanitary activities and to be part of an updated decision support system.