Crowdsourcing pest sampling data using a web-based Pest Sampler

Crowdsourcing information from stakeholders is one priority of a multi-state project termed iWheat (iwheat.org) for long-term, area-wide management of winter wheat in the Great Plains. The development of a companion site (my.iwheat.org) over the last year has resulted in several web-based management tools, including the Pest Sampler module. This module allows for users to input pest sampling data by digitizing existing pest sampling plans and associated algorithms to retrieve treatment recommendations. Not only does the pest sampler result in management recommendations that are linked to their wheat field, it stores and shares user data to a mapping module for real-time monitoring of pest populations. In addition, this pest sampler is designed to be adapted for any pest. This adds value not only to wheat production pest management, but provides an adaptable interface that can be used in any cropping system