Biospeckle PIV (Particle image velocimetry) guided live micro-insect monitoring and tracking

Abstract

Using visible light biospeckle laser imaging (BLI), it is possible to track micro-insects. We present a biospeckle imaging system for real-time monitoring and tracking of micro-insects on leaf surface. A biospeckle technique integrated with PIV for real-time monitoring and individual tracking of live micro-insects is introduced. The study demonstrates how laser speckle patterns can be used to detect and visualize insect movement, offering a non-invasive and low-cost alternative to traditional insect monitoring methods. We employ the Generalized Differences (GD) algorithm to process speckle images and extract the local positions of moving insects over time. The experiment successfully tracks an ant’s movement, showcasing the system’s ability to generate activity maps and reconstruct insect trajectories. The study highlights the potential applications of BLI in environmental monitoring, pollinator tracking, and automated insect population assessment. The method is promising, particularly in its noninvasive nature and potential low-cost implementation.