Portable, in-field, multispectral imaging sensor for real-time detection of insect viral-vectors

The paper introduces a multispectral imaging system and data-processing approach for speciation of the insect viral vectors (whitefly) responsible for the transmission of Mosaic and Brown Streak viruses in Sub-Saharan African cassava. The trial results for four species of whitefly, on two plant leaf types (cassava & aubergine), are reported as well as the methodology applied. This indicates that a correct classification could be achieved in 85–95% of cases. The engineering design for an infield, handheld, variant of the technology is discussed alongside the learning gained from this initial study.