1/6/2024 0 Comments Australia bugsMelbourne CBD and high-density suburbs like East Melbourne, Docklands, St Kilda and Northcote all have high rates of bed bug infestations, a statistic that is likely to be true for most large cities with a highly mobile population. ![]() ![]() 1 spot for bedbugs in Sydney, followed by Pyrmont, Darlinghurst, Coogee, Bondi, and Surry Hills. Recent data sourced from bed bug pest controllers listed on hipages found Redfern to be the No. This coincides with the survey findings which saw that most infestations (∼46%) occurred in either 1– 3-star motels or backpacker lodges. “The increase in bed bug numbers around the world seems to have correlated with the reduction in really harmful pesticides, and also the increase in cheap global travel,” he said. Seems like bedbugs infestation is one problem we can’t afford to sleep on.Īccording to behavioural ecologist, Dr William Hentley, whose research paper on bedbugs was published in Scientific Reports, two significant changes appear to have led to the current problem. If you think an old-timey study from 2006 shouldn’t concern you, here’s a 2022 report that might. They found that infestations of various cimex or bed bugs to us lay folks had risen across all states and overall for the nation by 4,500% for the period of 1999 to June 2006, compared with pre-1999 levels. ![]() Unfortunately, they came back and unlike Schwarzenegger’s Terminator, these critters seem indestructible.Ī comprehensive survey of Australian pest managers was undertaken in 2006 to determine the extent of the resurgence of bedbugs. In the 1950s, insecticides eradicated the vast majority of bedbugs and they all but disappeared. “We want to add AI models for more types of biosecurity threats, beyond stink bugs, and we also hope to involve the public in biosecurity work so that people can identify and report pests and weeds,” Dr Schmidt-Lebuhn said.Australia’s Bed Bug Problem Explained Australia’s Bed Bug Problem Explained The research team behind the app hopes to expand the work in two different directions. This can cause infestations in new countries where they lack specialised natural enemies to keep their populations in check. It breeds in large groups in well-lit areas, such as car plants, then pregnant females hibernate in dark places, such as cars awaiting export. While Australia has around 600 named native stink bug species, as well as several thousand more undescribed species, the brown marmorated stink bug is native to China and has spread to many countries around the world, where it is a threat to crops such as apples, stone fruits, hazelnuts and grains. All whilst developing new skills in automated machine learning and cloud automation tools.” By leveraging Microsoft AI tools and Image classification technology, CSIRO has been able to rapidly build the stink bug detection models needed to help confidently identify the brown marmorated stink bug. Microsoft Australia National Technology Officer, Lee Hickin, said: “Since establishing our partnership with CSIRO in June 2020 our focus has been on supporting CSIRO in their scientific and research work. Users can record a photo of the bug, its identification and the geographic coordinates and local time to help build out the database and inform biosecurity responses.” “The app also has species profiles with example images and species information. “Using a smartphone camera to zoom in or out and look at the bug from different angles, the AI model in the app identifies the species and shows how likely it is to be correct. “We’re taking detailed digital images of the stink bugs in our insect collection, including using a 3D imaging system to take photographs from many angles,” Dr Schmidt-Lebuhn said. “This app will help our biosecurity officers tell invasive species apart from our own native species, a uniquely Australian solution to a unique Australian challenge.”ĬSIRO taxonomist Dr Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn said the app demonstrated the practical applications of having a rich insect database. “Australia’s growing AI capability can be among the best in the world, but it doesn’t mean anything until we translate it into solutions that make life better for everyone, like ensuring our increasingly interconnected world doesn’t jeopardize our biosecurity,” Dr Marshall said. The app, being developed for the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE), is based on a prototype co-funded by Microsoft to identify seeds of noxious weedy daisies, using AI to identify stink bug species based on thousands of specimens held in CSIRO’s National Research Collections Australia.ĭAWE is now trialling the app in its quarantine stations.ĬSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall said collaborative partnerships were a powerful way to turn new technologies into real solutions to the nation’s greatest challenges, like protecting our native flora.
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