University of Manitoba gets up close and personal with insects

New camera equipment in the University of Manitoba'sentomology department has researchers taking vividlydetailed photos ofinsectsthat they say will help farmers make better decisions about pest management.

The camera set up, installed in April, involves the co-ordination ofa desktop computer, a standard Canon DSLR camera and an automated rail that moves and controls the camera. It gives images of tiny insects so detailed one can literally count the hairs on their heads.

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"My favourite image produced so far is the tachinid fly.The photo really illustrates how stunning in appearance even dull, unremarkable insects can be when viewed up close," saidJordan Bannerman, an instructor in the department and the primary user of the new camera equipment.

So far the equipment has been most useful for research done by entomology professorBarb Sharanowski, who received funding for it fromthe Western Grains Research Foundation and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Agricultural advantage

Sharanowski is working with the university's plant sciences department to create a mobileapp to identify and manageinsects, weeds, and diseases in field crops across Western Canada.

The high resolution pictures will help farmers to correctly recognize pests in their crops and help the app to develop risk maps of the field intruders.

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Ultimately,Sharanowskithinks the app will help farmers to make betterdecisions about pest management.

"Our goal is to reduce the overuse of pesticides for healthier food, a better functioning environment, and to decrease the likelihood of resistance of pests to chemicals,"Sharanowskisaid.