Semolina from heaven: dispersal of insect predators from drones will increase yields by 20%

Russian scientists have developed and patented a technology for dispersing beneficial insects using drones that destroy agricultural pests. It is based on a special device with a stirrer and a dispenser that allows you to prepare a working mixture during the flight and distribute it evenly over the target crops. The mixture consists of semolina, which acts as a filler, and beneficial insects. According to the developers, the use of such technology can increase yields by more than 20%. Experts note that the development is particularly promising for growing vegetables, fruits and other high-margin crops. At the same time, its implementation may still be too expensive for small farms.

How insects destroy pests in fields

Scientists from Kazan National Research Technical University named after A.N. Tupolev— KAI (KNRTU-KAI) have proposed a new method of pest control using drones and predatory insects. A patent has been obtained for the development.

The method is based on the settlement of entomophages, the natural enemies of pests, directly on agricultural crops. To do this, the researchers have created a special hopper dispenser with a mixing mechanism, which is mounted on a copter-type unmanned aerial vehicle. According to the calculations of the developers, the use of the new technology can increase crop yields by at least 20%.

— Entomophages are insects that feed on pests. In agriculture, they are purposefully used for biological protection of plants. This method is safe for humans and the environment," explained Ilfir Abdullin, one of the authors of the invention, Associate Professor of the Department of Aircraft Design and Engineering at KNRTU — KAI.

According to him, insects used to be settled manually or with the help of aviation. In the first case, it is laborious, in the second case it is not accurate enough. With the advent of drones, the process can be made much more efficient. Devices with a payload of up to 10 kg are suitable for these purposes.

For example, a quadcopter can fly close to the target plants and, if necessary, change the altitude and speed of flight. The volume of sprayed materials can also be adjusted by the rotation speed of the dispenser. The airflow from the screws additionally helps to disperse. All together, it significantly reduces the consumption of entomophages.

— Another feature of the technology is the mechanism of mixing insects with a carrier — semolina. This operation is performed directly in the hopper using the built-in interfering element. It is powered by an electric motor. The required ratio of entomophages and cereals is selected depending on the type of biological agent and the conditions of use. On average, it amounts to 1 gram of insects per 3-5 grams of semolina," Ilfir Abdullin said.

The cereal ensures an even distribution of the bugs and prevents them from sticking together, he explained. This is important for the accuracy of dosing and uniformity of application to the treated area. The semolina also protects them from damage.

In the course of the research, the scientists worked out scenarios using two types of insects. The first is the golden—eye, an omnivorous predator that actively destroys aphids, mites, worms and small caterpillars. The second is trichogramma, a tiny parasite that lays larvae in the eggs of pest butterflies. These entomophages are effective for protecting plantings of cabbage, tomatoes, corn, sunflower and many other crops, as well as fruit trees.

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How will the development improve the accuracy of farmland pollination and in what other industries can it be applied?

How much farmland has been processed by drones

— Now agrodrons are moving from experiments to active industrial use. In 2025, 781 thousand hectares of farmland were cultivated in our country, and this year it is planned that the figure will exceed one million hectares. Drones are especially in demand for monitoring farmland, applying drugs, as well as for processing areas where it is difficult to deliver ground equipment," said Artem Bogatyrev, market expert at the Aeronet National Technology Initiative.

According to the expert, the new technology will not replace traditional methods, but will become part of a comprehensive biological pest control system. It can pay off most quickly in vegetable growing and horticulture, where crops with high added value are grown. At the same time, economic efficiency will depend not only on the cost of the drone, but also on the price of consumables, the quality of agricultural monitoring, and the ability to use one system to process multiple farms.

In his opinion, it is advisable to supplement the devices with other solutions. For example, automatic calibration of the dispenser, feed control sensors, computer vision to search for pest foci, and registration of the areas actually treated.

The development of agricultural drones in Russia is facilitated by the implementation of the relevant national project, special legal regimes that simplify the coordination and execution of flights. At the same time, a significant limitation for the industry is the cost of equipment, said Anton Lyapin, project manager of the Aeromobility Directorate at the Moscow Aviation Institute. Therefore, it makes sense to simplify the development, the specialist said. For example, it is better to prepare the mixture on the ground, and use the drone only for metered spraying. This will simplify the design, reduce weight and increase the reliability of the system.

— If it is possible to confirm a 20% increase in yield, this is a serious argument in favor of the development. But it is important to remember that success strongly depends on the correct selection of entomophage species for specific pests, as well as on field conditions (humidity, temperature) that directly affect their activity," said Arfenia Karamyan, Associate professor at the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia.

The technology may be economically feasible primarily for large agricultural enterprises or areas with a high degree of pest infestation, she believes. For small personal subsidiary farms, its implementation, on the contrary, will require significant costs for equipment and staff training. In addition, before using entomophages, it is necessary to assess their impact on the ecosystem in order to eliminate the risk of destroying not only pests, but also beneficial insect species.