News

IF GROWERS are not vigilant, little insects like the coddling moth can take a big bite out of Oregon's $84 million-a-year pear harvest. Detection has gotten easier, thanks to a group of Portland State engineering students.

Rebeka Davidova, Rico Delapaz, Justin Lind, and Tin Nguyen upgraded a bug trap with a sensor that allows farmers remote access to key information on insect presence. Usually growers must inspect traps in their orchards and fields. The improved trap is integrated into what the student team calls a wireless remote insect monitoring network. The low-cost system works on all kinds of bug infestations.

The student team created the technology—valued at $50,000—for APTIV, a start-up company located in PSU's Business Accelerator. It was their Senior Capstone project: a real-world, community service project that is part of Portland State's undergraduate curriculum.