PESTPOINT – Virtual networks for managing pest
identifications (5062 & 2095)
Dr Gary Kong1,2, Dr Mark Stanaway2,
1
Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre, 2Queensland University of Technology,
The key to controlling pests is fast and accurate
identification. The longer it takes for pests to
be identified, the more difficult they are to
contain and the more extensive the damage.
The problem is that most pests are found on
farms a long way from city-based experts in
taxonomy, plant pathology and entomology.
The global decline in expertise, with increasing
trade and people movement, drive up the risks
to biosecurity.
In response to these problems we developed
the software program Pestpoint which
harnesses the power of social media for
pest identification. It provides a web-space
where an online community can create their
own private networks in which members
communicate and share their knowledge
to identify damaging plant pests. By using
mobile devices to share pest images and crop
information, individuals draw on the collective
knowledge of their networks to identify pests in
a virtual environment. Pestpoint documents this
process and saves pest records individually and
in a searchable database. Pestpoint has been
tested with a range of user groups over the past
year, including Graincorp, Landmark, Cotton
Grower Services and DAF (5062). In SE Asia we
have established Pestpoint networks will in
Cambodia, Laos and Thailand to facilitate local
and regional diagnostics (2095) for both pest
surveys and Plant Quarantine Inspection.
Both the performance of the software and the
user experience with the process of remote
diagnostics were evaluated in a detailed
survey of a cross section of Pestpoint users.
The survey data was analysed to identify
whether the software met the user’s needs
and expectations in relation to their pest
identification requirements, how the users
interacted with the software and each other in
this virtual environment and how the software
and processes could be modified to improve
uptake and adoption.
Watch a video on Pestpoint at www.pbcrc.com.
au/Pestpoint
Presenting author’s biography
Dr Gary Kong worked as a Plant Pathologist
and Research Manager with the Queensland
Department of Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF Qld)
for twenty-five years. Gary has worked on PBCRC
projects since 2005, taking particular interest in
the design and development of digital systems
for pest identification. His pioneering work on
digital systems for remote identification of plant
pests has earned him and his team Innovation
Awards from The Australian Innovation Challenge
and the Cooperative Research Centre Association
and in 2011, a Premiers Award for Excellence in
the State of Queensland. Gary has worked closely
with the Plant and Disease Image Library (PaDIL)
and initiated the Plant Biosecurity Toolbox which
provides detailed diagnostic information for exotic
pests. His current interest is in the development of
Pestpoint, a mobile app to facilitate the creation
of virtual networks for remote pest identification.
Gary works extensively in the SE Asian region,
delivering these digital technologies to member
countries of the ASEAN Regional Diagnostic
Network (ARDN).
Gary Kong
+61 7 423 024 118
[email protected]
Science Exchange 2015 | Conference Handbook 37
Session Four: Faster, cheaper, more accurate
identification of plant pests
Presentation title: PESTPOINT - Virtual networks for
managing pest identifications
Presenter: Gary Kong
Remote Pest Identification
Stored Grains
Gary Kong
Project Leader
Mark Stanaway
Researcher
Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre
biosecurity built on science
Problem being addressed
biosecurity built on science
Results so far
 Designed, Developed and tweaked software -1yr
 Established Pestpoint networks for Graincorp and Viterra,
connected to DAFF Qld
biosecurity built on science
Results so far
 Establish Remote Diagnostics Processes
biosecurity built on science
Results so far
 Establish Processes for Remote Microscopy - Graincorp
biosecurity built on science
Results so far
 Evaluation Survey based on diffusion of innovation principles
Users generally:
• Pestpoint easy and simple
to use
• Comfortable with process
• Found it useful
• Wanted to use it further
biosecurity built on science
Who will use research?
biosecurity built on science
Who will directly benefit from the research?
PQ Inspectors
Crop consultants
Farmers
Nurserymen
Plant Protection Officers
Researchers
Call on your digital diagnostic
networks whenever and
wherever there is a need to
rapidly identify pests.
biosecurity built on science
Challenges and issues arising from the research
 Low pest pressure across the sector
 Behaviour Change???
 IT security issues within organisations
- Firewall restriction
- Browser updates
biosecurity built on science
Impact delivery plan
 Pathway to Commercialisation Strategy documented
 Presented to PBIP consider future funding
Design, create
and trial the
product
Jun-14
Jul-15
Aug-16
Sep-17
Market Analysis
Product Review
Strategic Analysis
Identify the
market
(Users)
Develop
and
implement
a marketing
strategy
Business Case
Marketing Requirements…
Stop-Go Decision Point
Marketing Communications
Legacy
Promotion
Servicing
Trend Analysis
biosecurity built on science
The End-User Advocate’s perspective
?
biosecurity built on science
Thank you
biosecurity built on science