In the era of smart agriculture, pheromones have evolved from traditional physical lures into digital, precision-based tools for biological control and data sensing. They are no longer just simple “traps” but have become an integral part of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) monitoring systems.

The following are the core application scenarios for pheromones in smart agriculture:

1. Intelligent Pest Monitoring and Early Warning (IoT + Pheromones)

This is currently the most cutting-edge application. By combining pheromones with sensors and cameras, real-time tracking and automated counting of pest populations are achieved.

• Electronic Traps (E-traps): These devices use built-in sex pheromones to lure specific pests and utilize optical sensing or image recognition algorithms to classify and count insects that enter the trap.
• Cloud-based Real-time Monitoring: Data is transmitted via IoT to a cloud platform. Farmers can monitor insect population dynamics in the field directly from their smartphones, eliminating the need for manual field scouting and enabling early detection and rapid intervention.

2. Behavioral Interference and Precision Control

By leveraging the regulatory effect of pheromones on insect behavior and integrating them with smart application equipment, a “soft yet effective” control method is achieved.

• Mating Disruption: High concentrations of synthetic sex pheromones are released over large areas to prevent male insects from locating females. This disrupts mating and reduces the pest population at the source.
• Precision Dispensing: Smart systems automatically adjust the dosage and timing of pheromone release based on meteorological data (temperature, humidity, wind direction) and pest activity, maximizing efficiency while reducing waste.

3. Biosynthesis and “Plant Factory” Production

Smart agriculture also encompasses modernized production methods for the pheromones themselves.

• Synthetic Biology Applications: Utilizing genetic engineering (e.g., in plants like Camelina sativa) to establish “plant factories” for the large-scale extraction of pheromone precursors. The field efficacy of these products is comparable to traditional synthetics but offers better economic feasibility.

4. Collaborative Green Control Systems

Pheromones are core tools for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic farming.

• Chemical Pesticide Alternatives: Compared to traditional pesticides, pheromones are highly species-specific, effective in micro-amounts, and friendly to natural enemies and the environment.
• Fully Degradable Technology: Modern smart agriculture utilizes fully biodegradable pheromone-infused sticky traps, avoiding the environmental pollution caused by traditional plastic traps.

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Summary: The Evolution of Pheromones in Smart Agriculture

Traditional Agriculture	Smart Agriculture
Passive Luring (Simple hanging lures)	Active Monitoring (Real-time data via sensors)
Manual Counting (Time-consuming and delayed)	AI Recognition (Automated counting and classification)
Constant Release (Continuous release leads to waste)	Precision Regulation (Dynamic adjustment based on environment/pest load)

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