Tomato To control the Tomato looper more effectively, Vereijken Kwekerijen implemented PATS-C three years ago. Instead of relying on trap checks, the system detects moth activity in real time, allowing earlier intervention and more precise timing of Bt applications. Photo: Roland reading the PATS-C Dashboard After successful testing at two locations, PATS-C was rolled out to all the greenhouses with lighting. The result is stronger caterpillar control, fewer unnecessary sprays, and greater confidence in decision-making. Vereijken is also testing PATS-Vinder, our caterpillar prediction tool in the PATS-C dashboard . Roland Kouwenhoven, Location Manager Vereijken Kwekerijen Want the full story on Vereijken’s journey with PATS? Read the Onder Glass  feature

Outside project At Delphy, research and innovation go hand in hand. The company continuously explores new ways to make crop protection more efficient and sustainable. One of its latest challenges is understanding and tackling grubs, the larvae of beetles such as the cockchafer ( Melolontha melolontha ), June beetle ( Amphimallon solstitiale ), and rose chafer ( Cetonia aurata ). These species can cause severe root damage in nursery crops, grasslands, and other open-field systems. “ Grubs can live underground for several years and feed on plant roots. This makes them hard to detect and even harder to control, ” explains researcher Jeroen van der Meij from Delphy.   From field variability to controlled research While field trials have been conducted in the past, the results often varied too much to draw reliable conclusions. That is why Delphy decided to take a different approach. Over the past two years, the team has established a controlled breeding system for cockchafers and grubs at the Research Nursery for Tree Cultivation and Perennial Horticulture.​ Photo: Researcher Jeroen van der Meij This setup allows for precise, repeatable research into pest biology and control methods, from early development to flight activity. “ We can now test new solutions under stable conditions, ” says Van der Meij. “ This helps us support growers and practitioners with data-backed insights against a major problem. ” Monitoring beetle flights with PATS-C To better understand adult beetle behavior, Delphy partnered with PATS to test automated monitoring of flying cockchafers ( Melolontha melolontha ). Using the PATS-C camera system , the team successfully tracked flight activity over several weeks. “ The system worked very well and gave us clear insight into the flight pattern ,” says Jeroen van der Meij. The online dashboard allowed researchers to visualize and analyze flight data in real time. This combination of controlled breeding and automated monitoring opens up new possibilities for pest research and sustainable crop protection. Photo: Cockchafers (Melolontha melolontha) from Delphy’s breeding study. Smarter pest management through automation The successful trial at Delphy’s research nursery shows how automated insect monitoring can advance agricultural innovation. PATS-C improves understanding of pest behavior and supports more targeted, data-driven control strategies. “ PATS also uses micro-drones in greenhouse farming to remove flying pests. In the future, similar automation might work for open-field crops as well, ” Van der Meij adds. By combining Delphy’s research expertise with PATS’s monitoring technology, the project demonstrates how data and biology can work together to tackle persistent pests like grubs and cockchafers effectively and sustainably. Jeroen van der Meij -Project Manager Research Floriculture

Outside project The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is one of the world’s most damaging pests. Each year it causes over €4 billion in crop losses, particularly in cabbage and related crops. To make matters worse, the moth has developed resistance against commonly used biological agents like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), leaving growers with fewer effective tools.   In 2023, Vertify and PATS joined forces to take on this challenge. Combining Vertify’s expertise in moth species with PATS’ experience in automated insect monitoring, we set out to adapt the PATS-C system, proven in greenhouses, for use in open field cultivation. Photo: Diamondback moth larva with leaf damage How does PATS-C work? Every night, the PATS-C camera automatically detects, classifies, and counts moths flying by. This data is visualized the next morning in an intuitive dashboard, giving growers an immediate view of pest pressure. Traditionally, moths were monitored with pheromone traps that require weekly manual counts. PATS-C changes this completely by delivering daily data, instantly available, enabling timely and more targeted interventions. Photo: The first PATS-C in the field First open-field trials In mid-2023, the first PATS-C system was installed in a cabbage field at Vertify. The goal: to prove that the diamondback moth could be monitored outdoors as reliably as inside greenhouses. ​The results were highly encouraging. PATS-C’s daily counts closely matched the trends from pheromone traps : with up to a one-week advantage. While pheromone trap data arrives after manual inspection, PATS-C provides results the very next morning. This early warning can be decisive in keeping pest populations under control. ​Encouraged by the half-season pilot, the project was extended for a full season in 2024. Why it matters for growers Monitoring the diamondback moth with PATS-C offers two key benefits: ​ Daily insights – instead of weekly snapshots, enabling quicker and more precise interventions. This is particularly valuable for biological solutions that act fast but have short duration. No manual scouting – once set up, the system works fully automatically. This opens the door to networks of monitoring points across entire regions, giving every field its own data-driven protection strategy. Graph: PATS-C counts (blue) compared to Vertify counts (red), combined with temperature (yellow) and precipitation (green). The trend observed by PATS-C aligns with the trend of the trap counts. Additionally, in week 27 it can be seen that a drop in temperature and an increase in rainfall result in lower moth activity. Looking ahead With these trials, Vertify and PATS have proven that PATS-C can succeed beyond greenhouse walls. The ability to accurately, automatically, and rapidly monitor one of the world’s most costly pests is a game changer for sustainable cabbage cultivation, and a promising step toward expanding precision pest management to other crops in the open field.

Ornamentals Florensis Kenya is part of the international Florensis family, supplying young plants and cuttings to professional growers in Europe. From its production site in Naivasha, north of Nairobi, cuttings of perennial plants are produced on approximately 14 hectares. The operation is supported by more than 400 employees and focused on quality and meeting strict export standards.   Automated monitoring as a foundation ​ The collaboration between Florensis and PATS started in 2021. That same year, Florensis Kenya introduced automated pest monitoring in its cutting production. ​ Florensis Kenya was the first company in East Africa to use PATS-C for monitoring the Duponchelia moth. The system was installed in compartments where this pest posed a risk, and the local IPM team actively works with the data in daily operations. Since 2021, PATS-C has been used to monitor Duponchelia activity. In 2024, Florensis Kenya expanded its monitoring approach with Trap-Eye™, adding automated monitoring for pests such as whitefly and thrips. Trap-Eye™ enables monitoring at fixed intervals, with high accuracy and minimal labor, creating a standardized way to track pest pressure across the site. Trap-Eye™ is developed in collaboration with Biobest. Photo: Two members of the CPM team review pest development data next to a Trap-Eye™ sensor. Zero tolerance requires clear insight In cutting production, mother plants form the basis for all further propagation. Any pest pressure can directly affect quality and export readiness. Florensis applies a strict zero-tolerance approach. Cuttings must be clean before shipment to Europe, making reliable and consistent insight into pest pressure essential. “Innovation meets sustainability at Florensis Kenya. We are replacing manual scouting with a data-driven CPM approach, making our teams more effective by focusing on proactive solutions instead of counting insects. We are proud to show the world that Kenya is at the forefront of the global transition toward tech-forward, sustainable agriculture.” -Eddy Verbeek, General Manager Ready for peak season The busiest period for Florensis Kenya is leading up to the European spring, when demand increases significantly. During these peak moments, reliable and standardized monitoring is essential to safeguard both quality and delivery reliability. The use of PATS-C and Trap-Eye™ is expanded step by step to compartments where monitoring is required, supporting increasing quality standards and international supply chain demands. Photo: King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visit the Florensis Kenya location, where they were shown the production facilities during their official tour in 2025. One approach across locations Florensis works toward a uniform way of collecting pest data across its production locations worldwide. This makes it easier to compare situations, share insights between IPM teams, and maintain oversight from the headquarters in the Netherlands. In 2025, the PATS team visited the Florensis Kenya location in person, strengthening the collaboration. That same year, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima visited Florensis Kenya, highlighting the role of Dutch horticultural technology in international production. Photo: Two Florensis employees examine the yellow sticky trap card. ​ Moving forward together The collaboration between PATS and Florensis Kenya has developed into a long-term partnership. With a shared focus on quality, transparency, and continuous improvement, both teams continue to build on automated pest monitoring Want the full story on Florensis’s journey with PATS? Read the Floral Daily feature

Ornamentals At Stofbergen in Bergschenhoek, 4.5 hectares of bromeliads are grown with a strong focus on sustainability. For Robert van Velzen, who leads crop protection, one pest stood out: the banana moth ( Opogona sacchari ). Its larvae live deep inside the plant, causing damage long before it is visible.   “ In the past, we had almost no visibility on the pressure, especially with sensitive varieties, ” Robert says. “ The damage often hit hard before we even noticed it. ” ​ From scattered data to real-time insights When chemical options disappeared, Stofbergen turned to pheromone traps, but with limited results. ​ “The moths are mostly active at night, and our lighting schedule made them nearly impossible to monitor.” Since the end of 2023, they have used PATS-C, an automated camera system that tracks moth activity 24/7. ​ “We’ve now used it for over a year and a half, and the results are excellent. We can see exactly when pressure builds and respond more effectively.” Photo: Robert in the greenhouse Better timing with biologicals Stofbergen’s main control method is nematodes, a biological solution that only works when applied at the right moment.​ “Thanks to PATS-C, we now know exactly when to dose,” Robert explains. “That means less damage, lower costs, and no surprises.” The team no longer needs broad treatments that disrupt beneficial insects. They act only when and where needed.​ “We apply nematodes at the right time. That makes a world of difference.” Tech and biology, working together With PATS-C providing daily pest pressure data, Stofbergen has significantly improved its pest management strategy. “Continuous monitoring helps us anticipate better and intervene with precision,” says Robert. “It allows us to control the banana moth successfully, while protecting the crop and keeping input use low.” Since introducing the system, the average pressure has been reduced by at least 95 percent. The pest is still present, but well managed, and the team remains alert to sudden changes. Photo: PATS-C surrounded by Bromelias Smarter control, better results For Stofbergen Plants, success comes from combining technology with biology. With real-time insights and precise timing, they have built a more resilient, sustainable system for pest control. Robert van Velzen -Crop Protection Specialist Want the full story on Stofbergen’s journey with PATS? Read the Floral Daily feature ​

Ornamentals LKP Plants in Moerkapelle is, with 8 hectares, one of the largest and most modern Bromelia nurseries in the Netherlands. The company is fully committed to automation and digitization, and has invested heavily in automatic cultivation systems in recent years. In addition, the company is undergoing major renovations to make their greenhouses more sustainable. This sustainability is also reflected in their long-standing fully biological cultivation. Only natural enemies are used against various pest insects, including tricky moths and caterpillars that can cause a lot of damage. ​ At the end of 2021, LKP started using the PATS-C system in one of their greenhouses. With this system, Marco Koolhaas, co-owner, and Bas Krens, cultivation specialist, have automated and digitized the monitoring of moth pests . Photo: PATS-C overlooking young Bromelias Automated pest monitoring So in terms of pest monitoring, LKP is fully committed to automation. Bas and Marco are highly satisfied with the PATS-C system and have demonstrated that the transition to a fully biological approach with natural enemies is paying off. This is a strategy that they will continue to follow as the range of available means becomes more limited. PATS-C is also a great addition to regular crop checks. The successful biological approach that LKP has been using for years is also reflected in the data generated by the digital pest monitoring. Although there was considerable pressure measured throughout 2022, the population was successfully minimized during the past winter period. As a result, the starting situation in March this year (2023) shows to be very positive. The pressure is even 6 times (!) lower than the pressure from the moths in the month of March last year. Therefore, a much slower and gentler pest development is expected this season. Graph: caterpillar forecast on the PATS-C Dashboard After the upcoming renovation of one of the greenhouses, LKP will expand the automatic pest monitoring to the other greenhouses this summer. In addition, the company is interested in PATS' solutions that automate pest control as support for the biological approach. Marco Koolhaas - Co-owner LKP Plants Bromelia specialist

Green plants "With the PATS-C system better insight into insect populations"   In March 2021, Ammerlaan The Green Innovator in Pijnacker started using two PATS-C systems in two of its greenhouses. The monitoring of insects went so well that in June systems were also placed in the two other sections.  In this commercial nursery, specialising in tropical green plants, both useful and harmful insects are found among the plants spread over 6.5 hectares. The damage is often difficult to see because the insects can act differently depending on the plant species. Photo: Ammerlan TGI greenhouse Preparing now for the future “Intern Bas Krens, who studied the higher vocational HBO Horticultural Management programme, proposed using PATS-C to monitor the insect populations during an internship assignment,” said the cultivation manager. “We thought it was an interesting idea to see whether it would work for us. Especially because in the horticultural sector, the trend is to use less artificial crop protection, and we must halve the use of pesticides by 2030. We must not wait until the last minute, we need to prepare for the future.” Reducing crop protection agents PATS-C gives insight into the flying movements of various insects and indicates when they are going to fly. Certain species of insects will not fly while the sun is up, they wait until after sunset or even after midnight when it is really dark. Van der Arend added, “Our intention is to control the pests primarily through stricter hygienic measures, especially scouting out and disposing of weaker plants. And although we have focussed this year on doing more organically, it will still be necessary to make occasional corrections with chemical agents. That will involve trial and error.” Photo: PATS-C in the Ammerlan TGI greenhouse Data use for control plan The data from PATS-C is examined by several people in the company and the crop protection advisor. “Within the company we use the data in consultation with the cultivation staff for the proper timing and correct action plan to control the pests following the recommendations we receive. We have decided to install the PATS-C system in all our sections to monitor the entire nursery. We have found that it works, and that was sufficient reason to expand the system in June,” according to the cultivation manager.  Continued development by PATS of the systems, in terms of both hardware and software, is influenced by what they observe in practice, which is greatly appreciated by the cultivation manager.​​ Jan van der Arend - Cultivation Manager Ammerlaan The Green Innovator

Research The Center for Horticultural Innovation, a division of South Essex Fabricating (SEF), is an advanced research facility dedicated to the study and development of horticultural practices, technologies, and innovations. Located in Leamington, Ontario, the Center brings together expertise from genetics, plant science, data science/AI, nutrition, and crop trials. Its mission is to drive advancements in horticultural sciences, improve crop productivity, enhance sustainability, and support the greenhouse industry with forward-looking solutions. Recently, SEF adopted the PATS Trap-Eye™ system, an automated sticky trap monitoring solution that is revolutionizing the way growers track insect populations. The system captures high-resolution images of sticky traps, automatically identifying and counting pests, and delivering real-time reports to growers. “By pinpointing pest hot spots, it enables more efficient, standardized monitoring, saving time and labour, while offering valuable insights into insect population trends.”  Boosting Efficiency with Automation Traditional sticky trap monitoring requires significant time and labor, with results often varying between individuals. With Trap-Eye™, SEF has been able to introduce a standardized approach that not only improves accuracy but also frees up valuable time for growers to focus on other tasks. Graph: October pest activity visualized: the Trap-Eye™ dashboard tracks bios and whitefly counts per day. Trap-Eye™  is a collaboration between Biobest and PATS.  “This automated system captures high-resolution images of sticky traps to identify and count pests, providing real-time reports directly to our growers.” Supporting Growers with Real-Time Insights By implementing Trap-Eye™, SEF is helping growers access critical information about pest pressures faster than ever before. Automated hotspot detection allows growers to respond quickly to pest outbreaks and track insect population trends over time. The system has already delivered valuable reports, such as October counts for total bios and whitefly, providing SEF and its partners with actionable insights to support sustainable crop management.

Vegetable Rijk Zwaan is a globally recognized player in vegetable breeding and seed production, operating across more than 100 countries, with over 30 leafy and fruit crops in its portfolio. Sustainability is integral to their mission not only through breeding disease-resistant and longer-lasting varieties, but also via initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including reducing reliance on crop protection agents To reduce labor and boost accuracy, the team installed Trap-Eye™ at their breeding location in Fijnaart, an automated system where each sticky trap is fitted with a camera that captures multiple images per week.​​ “The system automatically recognizes which and how many insects have been caught.That saves us about six hours a week and provides more consistent insight than manual counting.” Photo: Trap-Eye™ in the breeding site. Trap-Eye™ a collaboration between Biobest and PATS.  By digitizing the scouting process, Lans reduces dependence on manual labor and gains standardized, reliable data for pest management.​ Early detection supports biological control To gain even better visibility of flying insects, especially those active outside of working hours. Rijk Zwaan also implemented the PATS-C solution. This camera-based system detects and tracks moth activity around sunset and sunrise, when pest movement is highest but often missed by manual inspections. “This allows us to intervene earlier and choose natural enemies more often,” Harry explains. “Also contributes directly to the reduction of chemical agents.” Growing confidence leads to expansion After a successful trial at the Fijnaart location, Rijk Zwaan is now expanding the use of Trap-Eye™ into a new greenhouse currently under construction. The company’s vision is clear: use data-driven technology to support biological control strategies and contribute to a more sustainable future for horticulture. Harry Suijkerbuijk Agronomist

Tomato Lans is one of the leading tomato producers in the Netherlands, operating seven high-tech sites with a total cultivation area of 88 hectares. Founded in 1976, Lans has grown into a modern, innovative family business that continues to invest in new technologies and sustainable growing practices. To strengthen its crop monitoring, Lans introduced the PATS Trap-Eye™ system, an automated camera-based solution for sticky trap monitoring. Each Trap-Eye™ unit photographs sticky traps multiple times per week, with AI software analyzing and identifying pest species such as whitefly, thrips, and moths. “With this system I need fewer people for scouting. It works well, and we are going to roll it out across the entire company.” – Vincent van der Lans , tomato grower Photo: Trap-Eye™ getting scanned through the Vinder app By digitizing the scouting process, Lans reduces dependence on manual labor and gains standardized, reliable data for pest management.​ Reducing Labour, Improving Consistency Traditional scouting requires a large team to check sticky traps and record results manually. With Trap-Eye™, Lans saves significant time while improving data consistency. “The camera photographs the sticky traps, which can be one or three times per week. For us, once is enough. But if you have a location with high insect pressure, you can set the system to three times per week. This way, we have less manual work left.” ​  This flexibility allows Lans to scale monitoring across its greenhouses and adjust frequency depending on pest pressure. Photo: Trap-Eye™ boxes in the greenhouse Better Data, Earlier Insights By standardizing pest counts, Trap-Eye™ delivers more reliable information than manual scouting. This enables earlier interventions and better biological control. “Thanks to this standardization, you no longer have to doubt the collected data. We believe it is more reliable. Even though the system is still in development, it is already reliable.” ​ Conclusion By implementing the Trap-Eye™ system, a collaboration between PATS and Biobest, Lans demonstrates how automation and AI can reduce scouting labor, improve data reliability, and support biological control. As one of the Netherlands’ largest tomato producers, Lans is paving the way for smarter, more sustainable horticulture. Vincent van der Lans Director of Cultivation & Energy Want the full story on Lans’es journey with Trap-Eye™? Read abut it here!

Cucumber At Bosch Komkommers in Berkel en Rodenrijs, Daan van den Bosch is responsible for crop protection. In the spring of 2024 he decides to try something new: PATS-C. This is an advanced camera system that monitors moths at night, particularly the Tomato looper (Chrysodeixis chalcites). Not a luxury, as this pest can cause serious damage in cucumber cultivation. At first, it’s just the leaves that are eaten, but with increasing pressure, young fruits are also affected, rendering them unsellable. Daan is used to keeping a sharp eye out for signs of pest pressure. But caterpillars are only visible when it’s already too late. He knows that in biological crop protection timing is everything. With tools like Bt ( Bacillus thuringiensis ) and parasitic wasps you can be effective, but only if you know exactly when the caterpillars are hatching. The younger they are, the better the treatment works. Interventions at a later stage are less ideal and can harm beneficial insects in the greenhouse. ​ Photo: Tomato looper caterpillar successfully controlled with a Bt application From the very first moment that PATS-C is running in the first greenhouse, Daan notices the difference. While he still sees nothing himself, the system is already detecting adult moth activity. What really convinces him is that with the system, using flight activity data, he and PATS together predict, with an accuracy of just two days, when the first young caterpillars will appear. And the prediction is spot on. Armed with that knowledge, Daan inspects selected plants and there they are: tiny caterpillars, found just in time. He can immediately deploy the right biological agents. As the season progresses Daan builds trust in the insights from PATS-C. He learns how to read the data, understands the patterns, and notices he can act much more precisely. The two greenhouses, each two hectares, turn out to behave very differently from a biological perspective. They are really two separate ecosystems, which makes separate monitoring essential. That’s why Daan decides that in early 2025 both greenhouses will be permanently equipped with a PATS-C system. Photo: Smallest caterpillars found after the indication from PATS-C. “It gives peace of mind,” he says. “I now know much sooner what to expect. And I don’t have to rely as much on gut feeling.” ​ Every evening and night PATS-C monitors moth activity. As soon as the first moths are detected, Daan starts counting down: just over ten days later, the first caterpillars can appear. Thanks to this predictability, he can optimize his crop protection, work more preventively, and at the same time preserve the biological balance. Photo: In the greenhouse of Bosch Komkommers Meanwhile, PATS is working on an automated recommendation model, so that growers in the near future can respond even more easily to insights, ultimately needing less experience or guesswork. A future where precision and sustainability go hand in hand. For Daan, that future has already begun.

Tomato Hortipower is a Belgian grower of plum tomatoes and affiliated with Coöperatie Hoogstraten. The company has been working with the PATS-C system for 2 seasons now.  “This season we started the crop in January. In parallel, we started monitoring with PATS-C. Earlier detection of Tuta absoluta and Tomato looper pests is certainly useful. It aids our IPM program as it makes us more alert, apart from the weekly scouting which we already perform. We now know what to look for and when to look for it, making our searches for potential Tuta absoluta hotspots more targeted.” Photo: PATS-C in a Hortipower greenhouse  Tuta absoluta is originally from South America, and today widely present in tomato crops in Europe and other continents. When present in the greenhouse, it can take 4 to 6 weeks before you see crop damages. With this solution we are more timely aware of an infestation. Seeing the adults from the very start enables very rapid intervention, stopping the pest development in its early stages. This means less interventions, saving us spraying rounds and accompanied cost. As PATS-C monitors pest activity each night, we can then also track the effect of each intervention on the population through the daily updated dashboard. Video: PATS-C in a Hortipower greenhouse PATS-C is useful to me as a crop manager, as we have to allocate less labour to scouting and are enabled to act timely on pests Astrid Sneyders, Crop Manager Hortipower (Tomeco) Rani Mertens, Researcher Research Centre Hoogstraten (PCH)