Forecast for insects? Made-in-Vancouver project may help growers, gardeners
At a time of year when most people are closely watching the temperatures, a new project is coming to a Vancouver university this summer that involves a different kind of forecasting.
The University of British Columbia is trying something out, and it could become the blueprint for forecasting insect behaviour across the city.
Researchers say they plan to set up dozens of cameras across campus.
These insect trap cameras, known as Sticky Pi, contain a sticky trap that catches bugs so that photos can be taken of them.
Computers then use artificial intelligence to determine what kind of insects are seen in the photos, and where and when they were trapped.
Researchers say it will help them understand which insects could be invasive and harmful to the local environment.
"That can be really helpful for understanding biodiversity," said UBC researcher Quentin Geissmann in an interview with CTV News over the weekend.
"For instance, what happens to this biodiversity during something like a heat wave? Do insects hide during the day when it's too hot? Do they just die? And then it's going to be really helpful for growers – even things like urban gardening where people suffer from new pest insects coming."
Researchers say they plan to eventually deploy the camera system across Vancouver next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW 'Oh my God, you're my brother': Manitoba man discovers six unknown siblings
After receiving a DNA kit one Christmas from his son-in-law, Hugh McCormick soon discovered that he had six unknown siblings, with whom he shared the same birth parents.
Canucks hold off Oilers for 4-3 win in Game 3
Brock Boeser had two goals and an assist, and the Vancouver Canucks hung on for a 4-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their second-round Stanley Cup playoff series.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise's disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.