Farmer's new hi-tech weapon kills 98% of the pests

Unmanned aircraft have been put into use to combat a crop pest in China. As noted, the kill rate up to 98%.

XAG, a drone manufacturer based in Guangzhou, cooperated with the German Plant Science Association in the campaign to eradicate pests in Guangxi.

The insect is rated by the XAG as a "monster" that damages crops when it attacks more than 80 plant varieties. They are native to the Americas, spreading to Africa and Asia. Their favorite foods are rice, corn, vegetables, cotton and many other plants.

An unmanned aircraft is on duty to kill farmers.(Photo: XAG).

Since arriving in China, it has moved north, affecting 950,000 hectares of crops in 24 provinces in mid-August, including parts of Hebei, Shaanxi and Shandong.

Most farmers use traditional insecticide sprayers. However, this way is not really effective. The reason is that this insect has a fast moving speed, can fly up to 100 km in a night. This also leads to large-scale spread of toxic chemicals.

But drones are effective. These automated devices can operate safely at night, when the pest is actively feeding. In addition, insecticides used with aircraft have much lower toxicity.

According to the leaders of Yunnan Province, the drones have helped farmers successfully destroy pests in this area. In Hebei, Shaanxi and Shandong provinces, 90% of the outbreak area has been controlled. The spread is also no longer in some maize fields in Henan province.

In China, the use of drones is very popular. They address the lack of manpower as well as protect human health from toxic chemicals.

According to the South China Morning Post, spraying insecticides with drones is 15 times more effective than manual methods.