Saskatoon (Rural Roots Canada) — Monitoring and identifying insects across multiple field sites can be time-consuming for agricultural researchers and growers. Insect Track Solutions Inc. is developing an AI-powered platform designed to make insect identification and monitoring more accessible.
Through its Integrated Pest and Pollinator Management (IPPM) Now system, the company is combining a mobile app with smart insect traps to help users identify and track insects through images. The IPPM Now platform also provides access to pest management research and geo-referenced field observations.
Founder Teresa Aguiar knows the difficulties of insect management first-hand. She says the idea grew out of her own experience surveying sites while completing her master’s degree at the University of Saskatchewan.
“I had to survey like different sites across the province, so it was a lot of time, effort, time-consuming, and I didn’t have enough time to have a clear picture of everything,” says Aguiar.
The platform is intended to reduce the travel, fuel and effort associated with insect monitoring by making information more accessible remotely to users across the agricultural community.
However, the system being developed is not solely focused on identifying or tracking harmful pests.
“We are working with insect pests, but also with the beneficial insects like pollinators or natural enemies to have a complete picture of how the insect community is around and have more information for better decisions,” says Aguiar.
By taking into consideration both pest and beneficial insect species, the IPPM system aims to provide users with a broader knowledge of all insects involved in the local ecosystems being monitored within Canada.
In addition to its monitoring technology, the IPPM Now website offers educational resources on topics such as plant health and pest management, giving users further access to information on these subjects.
Insect Trak Solutions is currently validating the technology through open testing and pilot programs, with plans to move toward commercialization in 2027. As development continues, the system aims to make insect-monitoring information easier to access for the agricultural community and to help users to build a broader picture of insects’ impact on their crops and how to manage them.
