Austrian-Czech Initiative Utilizes AI to Combat Bark Beetles

In a groundbreaking effort to address the growing bark beetle crisis, an Austrian-Czech initiative known as SMARTbeetle is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to discover more effective and environmentally friendly lures for the destructive pest. The project, which involves partners from Upper Austria and the Czech Republic, aims to develop optimized pheromone mixtures for traps targeting the bark beetle (Ips typographus), a species that has proliferated due to extreme drought conditions linked to climate change.

The ongoing climate crisis has placed significant stress on forests in both Austria and the Czech Republic, leading to widespread tree mortality attributed to the bark beetle. Traditional pest control methods, such as pesticides and traps, have proven inadequate, primarily because the same attractants have been in use for decades.

SMARTbeetle, which stands for Smell-based Molecular Artificial Intelligence to Fight Bark Beetle, seeks to innovate pest management by utilizing biological methods coupled with AI to enhance the effectiveness of traps. The project aims to minimize the use of pesticides while simultaneously protecting non-target species.

AI plays a crucial role in this initiative by screening potential pheromone compounds. It provides predictive models for receptor-ligand interactions, allowing researchers to evaluate thousands of potential pheromone candidates efficiently. This targeted approach enables the identification of the most promising compounds for laboratory and field testing, significantly conserving valuable resources and enhancing the discovery of more effective lures.

According to project management, the cross-border collaboration between scientific institutions fosters a dialogue between authorities and forest owners in both countries. This data and experience exchange is vital for improving the monitoring of bark beetle populations and implementing timely countermeasures.

The consortium comprises seven partners: Software Competence Center Hagenberg GmbH, FH OÖ Research and Development, TU Vienna, and Business Upper Austria from Austria, alongside the University of South Bohemia, Mendel University Brno, and the Forestry and Game Management Research Institute from the Czech Republic. The project is set to run for four years, concluding in November 2028, and is funded by the EU under the Interreg Austria-Czech Republic program.