Bac Orchids
At Bac Orchids, innovation and tradition come together in the cultivation of Cymbidium. In this interview, Dico Bac, co-owner of Bac Orchids, shares how their family nursery is tackling one of the toughest challenges in orchid production: the opogona moth...
Bac Orchids
Orchids
At Bac Orchids, innovation and tradition come together in the cultivation of Cymbidium. In this interview, Dico Bac, co-owner of Bac Orchids, shares how their family nursery is tackling one of the toughest challenges in orchid production: the opogona moth
After years of striving to grow organically—without chemical pesticides—the nursery faced significant losses, with up to 25% of crops damaged by pest infestations. Today, with the help of PATS-C, they have reduced that damage dramatically, achieving greater control while staying true to their sustainable approach.
”Before, we could only guess with UV light traps. Now, thanks to PATS-C, we can actually see the cycles of new generations, monitor them at night, and adapt our strategy with precision. It’s a real added value for us.”
Through real-time monitoring and detailed insights, Bac Orchids can now anticipate infestations, optimize biological interventions like nematodes, and move closer to their vision of a fully sustainable, resilient orchid crop.
Video: Interview with Dico Bac
“Doing it the biological way is more effort, but I like the challenge. As long as we don’t get too much damage, PATS is helping me keep the infestation under control with a great monitoring system.”
Dico Bac
Co-owner
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LG Flowers
With 12 hectares across four greenhouses and an annual output of 95 million gerberas, LG Flowers stands among the top gerbera producers in the Netherlands. Next to the company’s strong growth in recent years, new challenges continue to emerge...
One step ahead: LG Flowers detects pests before they cause trouble
LG Flowers
With 12 hectares across four greenhouses and an annual output of 95 million gerberas, LG Flowers stands among the top gerbera producers in the Netherlands. Next to the company’s strong growth in recent years, new challenges continue to emerge. This is especially clear in how quickly the crop protection landscape is evolving. Pests like the Tomato looper moth (Chrysodeixis chalcites) and European pepper moth (Duponchelia fovealis) have a major impact on gerbera cultivation. Not just on the crop itself, but also on the biological balance that LG Flowers strives to maintain.
“We do everything we can to stay ahead of pests,” says Martin de Bruijn, Head of Cultivation at LG Flowers. “As soon as moths enter, it can trigger a domino effect. They undermine natural predators, knocking the whole system off balance. Then you’re months behind”. LG Flowers has been working with the PATS-C solution since 2021. Four years later, PATS-C monitoring has been rolled out across the entire company. In addition, a significant part of the greenhouses has been screened with insect netting preventively, wherever technically possible. “Monitoring the internal population remains essential,” says Martin. “PATS-C gives us 24/7 insight, and most importantly: peace of mind. We know where we stand.”
Photo 1.Martin de Bruijn, Head of Cultivation at LG Flowers, next to one of the PATS-C cameras: “With PATS-C, we always stay one step ahead of moth and caterpillar infestations.”
This continuous stream of data is also helpful for Wouter Mooij, crop protection advisor: “Growers often have a fixed window for performing a treatment. Several times a year, we see a sharp change in moth activity within three days. If there’s an increase midweek and there's a chance to spray over the weekend, you can adjust and scale up your strategy before the larvae reach the feeding stage.”
Martin continues: “PATS-C detects the Τomato looper at a very early stage, often even before any visible damage appears. Past experience shows that such a spike in moth activity is quickly followed by crop damage. By recognizing this pattern, we can make targeted biological interventions against the first larvae and prevent further infestation.”
Photo 2. The PATS-C camera closely monitors moth activity day and night.
Keeping track of actions is becoming increasingly important. Interventions are immediately logged in PATS-Kalendar, allowing crop experts and advisors to track what was done and when. The next step is to predict risks and automatically advise the right intervention moment.
“We’re fully committed to digitization, prevention, and biological control,” Martin says. “It’s about being able to act at the very first sign of pressure, so we can maintain a balance in the greenhouse. Think of banker plants to keep natural enemies at stable levels, and of technology that helps us stay alert. By combining these tools, we create a system that doesn’t react after the fact but instead prevents things from getting out of hand. At the same time, we keep looking for ways to make our cultivation system even smarter, with new technologies that enable us to act faster and more precisely. That’s how we keep raising the bar.”
Oudijk Gerbera
The company has used the PATS-C solution since its first version in 2020. Since 2024, both greenhouses on the 7-hectare company have been fully covered with netting, which effectively prevents the influx of new adult moths. However, monitoring the internal moth population remains crucial...
Oudijk Gerbera has fully invested in preventive measures against the Tomato looper
Gerbera
The company has used the PATS-C solution since its first version in 2020. Since 2024, both greenhouses on the 7-hectare company have been fully covered with netting, which effectively prevents the influx of new adult moths. However, monitoring the internal moth population remains crucial. Therefore, from 2025, Oudijk will monitor the entire company with a total of eight PATS-C cameras.
Dirk-Jan Oudijk explains: "The Tomato looper is a complex and highly damaging pest. Once they are inside, it is extremely difficult to get rid of them again. It requires attention constantly throughout the season and significantly disrupts biological pest control. That’s why we now need to be even more alert: knowing whether the pest is completely eradicated and being able to act immediately if a new moth does manage to sneak in."
In recent years, the company has experienced how quickly a Tomato looper population can escalate. Dirk-Jan explains how PATS-C data provided insight into this: "Last year, we saw on the PATS-C dashboard how the generations developed in rapidly increasing waves. Not long after, we saw the consequences in the crop. That was the moment for me to fully commit to PATS-C. An extra pair of eyes and better information are simply indispensable."
Photo 1: PATS-C installation at Oudijk Gerbera
The next step is that the system directly warns both Dirk-Jan and Erik Mooij, the company’s dedicated crop protection advisor, when the pest is detected. In addition, PATS-C is also going to serve as a prediction tool and predict when the first larvae are expected. With these innovations, Dirk-Jan and Erik can manage the Tomato looper even more effectively and proactively anticipate new threats.
Photo 2: Tomato Looper larva
Flower Harmony
At Flower Harmony, everything revolves around growing beautiful gerberas in a sustainable way. What started as three independent growers within Colours of Nature grew into one collective in January 2024. By joining forces, they’ve been able to specialize more, scale up reliably, and build a company culture focused on....
Flower Harmony: Real-Time Pest Monitoring for a More Sustainable Future
Gerbera
At Flower Harmony, everything revolves around growing beautiful gerberas in a sustainable way. What started as three independent growers within Colours of Nature grew into one collective in January 2024. By joining forces, they’ve been able to specialize more, scale up reliably, and build a company culture focused on collaboration, respect, and continuous learning.
Sustainability runs through everything they do, from energy use to employee wellbeing and that mindset extends to pest management too. In February 2021, Flower Harmony started working with PATS-C, looking for a smarter, more precise way to monitor moth activity without disrupting biological control. In gerbera, balancing the biological eco-system is crucial to achieve a high quality product year round.
From first tests to daily use
The first systems were installed at two Maasdijk locations back in 2021. From the start, the growers were curious to see how the technology would fit into their day-to-day work. Those early experiences quickly proved their value: PATS-C spotted moth activity before it showed up in traditional traps, giving the team more time to act and prevent potential damage.
Photo: PATS-C system in the greenhouse in Maasdijk
What began as an experiment soon became part of their daily routine. Today, Flower Harmony runs PATS-C across their four greenhouses, keeping an eye out at nine hectares of gerbera production. The insights the system continuously provides now plays an important role in their integrated pest management (IPM) strategy.
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"The predictions from PATS are incredibly valuable. Their early warning for a caterpillar wave allowed us to intervene biologically at exactly the right moment, stopping the pest population before it could develop. It’s great to have this level of foresight, it helps us plan materials and labor with confidence."
Twan Breugem, Director
Turning data into confidence
Real-time insights have changed the way the team approaches pest control. When PATS-C detects flight activity, they can adjust their biological treatments quickly and with confidence. And when the data shows calm nights, they know their current strategy is working, saving time and effort in scouting.
The result is a more balanced growing environment, where decisions are driven by facts instead of assumptions. A shift that brings back control to the grower, and that enhances biological control with the right technology.
Photo: Twan Breugem surrounded by gerberas
A shared goal: growing sustainably
The collaboration between Flower Harmony and PATS is built on the values of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration to move the industry forward. By combining automated monitoring with biological control, Flower Harmony can keep pesticide usage to a minimum, and only as a last resort, while maintaining a healthy crop and ecosystem.
Looking ahead
The partnership continues to evolve. Together, Flower Harmony and PATS are exploring new ways to make insect data even more useful. A first step is the roll-out of PATS-Vinder, earlier this season. The team now knows when adult moths appear, but even better, they now know when the tiniest caterpillars are hatching. A perfect tool when you need to plan your intervention and the manpower for execution.
For Flower Harmony, technology like PATS-C is not only a tool. It helps the team to stay lean, learn daily and improve strategies to stay on top of pests.
Twan Breugem, Director
Redwing
At Redwing Limited in Kenya, cultivating delicate flowers like lisianthus and geraniums for propagation comes with its set of challenges, notably the management of nocturnal insect pests. To address this, the company has integrated PATS-C, an advanced automated monitoring system, into their pest management strategy...
Redwing Limited: Monitor. Act. Evaluate. The Redwing Limited way to smarter and sustainable pest control
Propogation
At Redwing Limited in Kenya, cultivating delicate flowers like lisianthus and geraniums for propagation comes with its set of challenges, notably the management of nocturnal insect pests. To address this, the company has integrated PATS-C, an advanced automated monitoring system, into their pest management strategy. Delivered by Real IPM, member of the Biobest Group, a renowned distributor of pest control solutions and high-tech monitoring systems, PATS-C has been operational at Redwing for the past six months.
Simon Sayer, Company Director at Redwing, shares his experience:
"The system is very simple to install. The technology to track where insects are in the greenhouse and the time of day they are most active is an amazing advance in crop monitoring. Plus, the ability to visualize the immediate effect of intervention and chart this historically enables growers to be far more precise with chemical use and far more confident with biological controls."
Photo 1. Installation of PATS-C at Redwing in Kenya
PATS-C functions by continuously scanning the greenhouse environment, detecting and tracking pest insect populations. This real-time data is then presented through an intuitive dashboard, allowing growers to monitor insect activity patterns and make informed decisions promptly. The system's precision not only aids in timely interventions but also supports the reduction of chemical inputs, promoting a more sustainable approach to pest management.
Building upon the capabilities of PATS-C, the introduction of the PATS-Kalendar further enhances the grower's toolkit. This digital logbook allows for the meticulous recording of all pest control actions, linking them directly to observed pest pressures. By documenting interventions and their outcomes, growers can evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies, refine their approaches, and plan future
Photo 2. Visible effect after crop protection: moth activity dropped by 50% in the following generation.
actions with greater confidence. The synergy between PATS-C's real-time monitoring and PATS-Kalendar's detailed record-keeping empowers growers to transition from reactive to proactive pest management.
The collaboration between Redwing, PATS, and Real IPM exemplifies the potential of integrating advanced technology into traditional agricultural practices. By embracing such innovations, growers can achieve more precise, efficient, and sustainable crop protection, ensuring both the health of their crops and the longevity of their farming practices.
Following last July's crop rotation, despite our thorough greenhouse cleaning and strict hygiene measures before planting, Duponchelia moth pest pressure persisted. The PATS-C system quickly identified adult moth flights shortly after planting, leading to a steady escalation of pest pressure that continues until today (early September).
"[With PATS-C], we were able to combat the caterpillars entirely with biological control.
So, with less use of substances compared to previous years and without notable crop damage."
“As soon as we saw the first Tomato looper this year using the data from the PATS-C system, we called a meeting with our crop protection advisor to plan our defence. The monitoring enabled us to start three weeks earlier, because we could clearly predict when the caterpillar phase would begin."
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Nini
At rose grower Nini, part of Herburg in Naivasha, Kenya the PATS-C system is being used to monitor False Codling Moth (FCM). Two greenhouses at the 60-hectare farm are now equipped with the automated cameras as part of a project to improve early detection...
Exploring New Ways to Monitor False Codling Moth at Nini
Rose
At rose grower Nini, part of Herburg in Naivasha, Kenya the PATS-C system is being used to monitor False Codling Moth (FCM). Two greenhouses at the 60-hectare farm are now equipped with the automated cameras as part of a project to improve early detection.
“For us as growers, the moth was never a big issue,” explains Philippe Veys of Nini. “There was hardly any visible damage, so it never received much attention until the EU tightened its regulations. Now the risks of shipment interceptions and even market closures have increased considerably… So, understanding and controlling the moth starts with good monitoring.”
Early Results
The first results are promising. “We’ve just started, but we can already see it works. We see what we see in person reflected in the system's output. The next step is determining whether the system can also predict pressure increases, allowing for earlier intervention.”
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Looking Ahead
Scaling remains the big question, but the potential is clear. “If it works for FCM, maybe it can work for other pests or diseases too — whether with fixed cameras or maybe drones. That's still to be seen. But we're convinced certain applications will definitely succeed.”
Philippe Veys
Photo: The team of Nini and PATS together in the greenhouse
Want the full story on Nini’s journey with PATS-C? Read the Floral Daily feature
PATS-C with roses
Jansen Paprika
Marvin Koot, a technical crop protection specialist at Biobest Netherlands, has been consulting Jansen Paprika for years. Located in Andijk in The Netherlands, Jansen Paprika cultivates an impressive 25 hectares of red and yellow bell peppers...
Mastering caterpillars without chemical control at Jansen Paprika
Bell Pepper
Marvin Koot, a technical crop protection specialist at Biobest Netherlands, has been consulting Jansen Paprika for years. Located in Andijk in The Netherlands, Jansen Paprika cultivates an impressive 25 hectares of red and yellow bell peppers. The company is a member of Growers United and is Planet Proof certified.
Together with Ron Jansen, co-owner of Jansen Paprika, Marvin has taken on the challenge of using as little chemical crop protection as possible in the 2023 season. And successfully so. This achievement was partly thanks to the use of the PATS-C solution. The system was deployed in the fight against the Tomato looper (Chrysodeixis chalcites), a well-known pest in bell pepper. The caterpillars of this moth can quickly and extensively damage the crop. PATS-C recognizes and counts different moth species, keeping a precise track of activity and pest development. This allows for immediate response to impending infestations.
Biobest is a supplier of Kwekerij Jansen Paprika
(photo by Biobest Netherlands)
The caterpillar of the Tomato looper can cause significant damage in bell peppers.
Ron was very interested in PATS’s solutions at the beginning of 2023, particularly PATS-C. In the years before, the company regularly ran into problems with the Turkish moth. Sometimes this led to significant damage, caused by the caterpillars. At the start of last season, he installed this system in a 6-hectare section.
Ron Jansen’s experiences are very positive: “At this location, we were able to control the caterpillars completely biologically.”
Graph: The PATS-C dashboard shows the flight activity of the Turkish moth
“So with fewer resources compared to previous years and without any significant crop damage.” Thanks to the monitoring system, Ron was able to choose the right moments throughout the season to apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), a biological agent against caterpillars.
Based on the graph in the PATS-C dashboard, three periods could be observed when the activity of adult moths increased: mid-June, mid-July, and mid-August. At those times, adult moths flew into the greenhouse from outside. Shortly after these surges of pest activity were detected, a Bt treatment was applied.
Because of this precise timing, the caterpillars came into direct contact with the product right after the egg stage and were unable to develop into moths. As a result, crop feeding damage was minimal, and new generations of the pest were cut off early.
For the coming season, Ron and Marvin again aim to keep the caterpillars under control without the use of chemical pesticides. With the help of the PATS-C system, that will once again be a piece of cake. And it’s not only the Turkish moth that is being monitored — other moth species don’t escape the ‘eyes’ of PATS-C either. For example, the Duponchelia moth, which at high populations can also pose a problem in bell pepper cultivation.
Photo: PATS-C at Jansen Paprika BV
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Vink Sion
At Vink Sion, a pepper grower in Friesland, a combination of biological control and automated monitoring is yielding promising results against one of the most persistent greenhouse pests: the Tomato looper (Chrysodeixis chalcites)...
Vink Sion: Smarter Monitoring and Biological Control Against the Tomato Looper
Bell Pepper
At Vink Sion, a pepper grower in Friesland, a combination of biological control and automated monitoring is yielding promising results against one of the most persistent greenhouse pests: the Tomato looper (Chrysodeixis chalcites). Working closely with retailer programs like Bakker Barendrecht and Albert Heijn’s Beter voor Natuur & Boer, the company has embraced sustainable practices that support biodiversity and reduced chemical use.
To reinforce that mission, Vink Sion has been trialing a dual strategy: releasing Trichogramma wasps to parasitize moth eggs and deploying PATS-C to track moth activity in real time. The goal is to act earlier, more precisely, and with more confidence.
Biological control with backup
The first step in the approach is releasing Trichogramma brassicae along the crop edges and under vulnerable conditions, particularly in greenhouses with high pest pressure. This year, two out of three greenhouse blocks were treated preventively.
Photo: Jaap Vink with Bell Pepers
“We used to hang sticky traps and hope for the best,” recalls crop manager Albert van der Ziel. “Now, we release the Trichogramma first, and the PATS-C system confirms that it’s working.”
In 2024, the difference became crystal clear. From the PATS-C data, the team could clearly see fewer Tomato loopers in the blocks where Trichogramma had been applied compared to the untreated control.
“That confirmation is worth a lot,” says Albert. “You can see the data backing up your strategy. That builds trust.”
A shift in scouting and decision-making
With PATS-C monitoring overnight flights, the team no longer has to rely on just sticky traps or daytime scouting.
“We used to miss a lot. Now, if we don’t see activity in the data, we know we don’t need to scout intensively in that block. That’s new for us, and it really helps,” says Albert.
Even other moth species like Duponchelia are now detected in the system, helping the team target different beneficials accordingly.
“PATS-C can tell the difference between moth species based on size and shape. That tells us what kind of biologicals we might need to release.”
Photo: Cotesia as a natural enemy of the Tomato looper in sweet pepper
From demo to daily use
Vink Sion first encountered PATS-C during a demo and decided to give it a chance. Owner Jaap Vink had seen the system but wasn’t fully convinced until Albert pushed to install it and test its value.
“At first, we didn’t know exactly what we were seeing,” says Albert. “But after just one season, we realized the value. More and more, we’ve come to trust the system.”
Now, the grower team is working toward expanding their use of both PATS-C and Trichogramma. Next up: linking the data more closely to treatment schedules and scaling the approach to other greenhouses.
Sustainable progress, supported by data
The Tomato looper remains a stubborn pest in many crops. But with tools like PATS-C, growers like Vink Sion are seeing that automated data and biological solutions don’t just coexist, they amplify each other.
“It’s not just about reacting anymore. We see things earlier and do less,” Albert says. “And when you see that in the numbers, it gives you the confidence to keep going.”
Albert van der Zei, Crop Manager
Vink Sion
Photo: PATS-C in the greenhouse
The Westland
Nursery the Westland will start a large-scale field trial for biological control of caterpillars in bell peppers in January 2024. Tomato looper and Tuta absoluta cause considerable economic damage in bell pepper cultivation. With the disappearance of chemical agents, it is important to make the most of the possibilities of biological control....
The Westland
Bell Pepper
Cooperation Royal Brinkman, PATS and Agrobío:
Biological caterpillar control at Kwekerij het Westland
Nursery the Westland will start a large-scale field trial for biological control of caterpillars in bell peppers in January 2024. Tomato looper and Tuta absoluta cause considerable economic damage in bell pepper cultivation. With the disappearance of chemical agents, it is important to make the most of the possibilities of biological control. The field trial revolves around detection with the PATS-C moth detection system combined with the deployment of the parasitic wasp Trichogramma achaeae as a biological solution.
The practical trial at Kwekerij het Westland in the Netherlands compares two departments.
One department where signaling by PATS-C is combined with the use of TRICHOcontrol (the parasitic wasp Trichogramma achaeae) and a second department in combination with traditional crop protection agents. The faster the first signaling is from the tomato looper and the better the distribution of TRICHOcontrol is, the better and faster the caterpillar control will work.
Digital data collection
Moths lay eggs from which caterpillars develop, causing leaf and fruit damage. With the elimination of chemical agents, it is important to detect moths earlier. This is possible with the PATS-C automatic detection system. Growers have an earlier view of moths and can take action sooner, before the pest gets out of control. The technology involves the simple mounting of a PATS-C detection system to the greenhouse frame. Detection takes place at night, when the moths are active, and are captured by the camera. By linking to a data recording technique, the grower gets an overview of the presence of moths and the development of pest pressure in the morning, through clear graphs in his dashboard. Recognition at an early stage becomes possible, which is crucial for immediate intervention at the first pest pressure. PATS-C is an automatic detection system for all moth species, including not only Tomato looper (Chrysodeixis) and Tuta absoluta but also Duponchelia, Opogona (banana moth) and leafrollers. The advantage is that it provides the grower with a faster and more efficient detection system compared to the use of pheromone traps or trap lights. Users also mention the advantage of learning more about the behavior of moths (when they are active) and what effect a crop protection treatment has on the population. Advisors can also monitor pest pressure remotely.
Trichogramma
A good biological solution for caterpillar control was not available in the past. With the parasitic wasp Trichogramma achaeae, it was difficult to achieve good parasitization of moth eggs. Agrobío's new TRICHOcontrol is a product variant whose pupa come out very quickly and dosed. Now this is 3-14 days, where it used to be 10-14 days. A parasitization rate of almost 100% is realized. Combined with PATS-C signaling of
the very first moth and starting immediately with Trichogramma, expectations for this trial are high.
Kwekerij Het Westland in Naaldwijk has gained experience with PATS-C since May 2023.
Chris Bos: "With PATS-C we signaled very well the presence of tomato loopers, while at that time I found no adults in the traps. These insights help me respond even faster and more adequately to pest pressure. We have already experimented a bit with TRICHOcontrol last season and we have seen that Trichogramma also gives good parasitization in higher growing crops like bell pepper, but at the start the pest pressure was already too high. Next season we will therefore start this larger practical trial from the start of the new crop".
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Breugem Horticulture
This is the second season Breugem Horticulture, a Dutch tomato grower, has been working with the PATS-C system. In 2024, Sebastiaan Breugem decided to implement this solution to automatically monitor the most important moth pests in his crop across the entire company. The goal? To have a crop protection strategy based on solid facts...
"Instead of constantly playing catch-up, I'm now in the driver's seat, able to steer and take control myself"
Breugem Horticulture
This is the second season Breugem Horticulture, a Dutch tomato grower, has been working with the PATS-C system. In 2024, Sebastiaan Breugem decided to implement this solution to automatically monitor the most important moth pests in his crop across the entire company. The goal? To have a crop protection strategy based on solid facts.
One of the pests the team has to deal with is the Tomato looper moth. This pest poses a double threat: in addition to causing damage to the leaves, the caterpillars can directly attack tomatoes, leaving them unsellable. With the decreasing availability of pesticides, the risk of pest outbreaks, and thus economic damage, is increasing. This underscores the importance of acting preventively and strategically. For this reason, Breugem Horticulture is increasingly relying on biological crop protection solutions.
For the biologicals to be effective, precise timing of their application is crucial. For instance, bacterial preparations are highly effective against caterpillars, but only if the caterpillars ingest the product at an early stage in this part of their life cycle.
Photo: Damage caused by Tomato looper caterpillar
PATS-C proves its value
Fortunately, the pest pressure in 2024 turned out to be manageable. Sebastiaan’s observations in the crop were confirmed by the data from the PATS-C dashboard. This helped him to get convinced of the reliability of the system. In 2025, Breugem Horticulture plans to take an even more proactive approach, supported by the insights provided by PATS-C. Information and alerts from the system will serve as the foundation for additional crop inspections, after which the crop protection strategy will be tailored to their needs. In the near future, the company also looks forward to taking advantage of PATS-C's automated predictions, enabling them to respond to pest developments even earlier.
A future oriented family business
Based in Bleiswijk, South-Holland, Breugem Horticulture is an innovative family business cultivating tomatoes on six hectares. The company stands out by actively investing in new technologies and sustainable initiatives. Soon, a collective geothermal energy project will be completed to heat the greenhouses, and they are exploring the possibility of capturing CO2 to use in their cultivation.
This also includes the implementation of digital scouting. Alongside using PATS-C to monitor larger pests like moths, the company began using a scouting app in 2024 to detect other pests such as whiteflies.This allows the responsible employee to use their working hours more effectively: less time is spent collecting data, and more time is dedicated to analyzing and optimizing crop protection.
This approach enables Breugem to make timely and better-informed decisions. Additionally, the automated processes simplify labor planning, ensuring workers are deployed where they are most needed.
Sebastiaan Breugem
Alvonto
With over 60 hectares of tomato cultivation across three Dutch locations, Alvonto is always looking for ways to improve quality and sustainability. At their Dinteloord site, tomato specialist Tobias Wieman tested PATS-Vinder, our new AI-based pest prediction tool, to time interventions more precisely...
Alvonto
Tomato
With over 60 hectares of tomato cultivation across three Dutch locations, Alvonto is always looking for ways to improve quality and sustainability. At their Dinteloord site, tomato specialist Tobias Wieman tested PATS-Vinder, our new AI-based pest prediction tool, to time interventions more precisely.
The result? Earlier and more effective control of caterpillars, fewer chemical treatments, and better biological balance.
Photo: Tobias installing PATS-C in the greenhouse
Want the full story on Alvonto’s journey with PATS-C? Read the Onder Glass feature
Tobias Wieman, Crop Specialist
Alvonto
Hortipower
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...
Hortipower
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.”
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.
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)
Bosch Komkommers
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)...
Looking ahead in the greenhouse: Bosch Komkommers goes all out for PATS-C
Bosch Komkommers
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.
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.
“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.
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.
Photo 1. Tomato looper caterpillar successfully controlled with a Bt application
Photo 2. Smallest caterpillars found after the indication from PATS-C.
Photo 3. PATS-C in de greenhouse of Bosch Komkommers
"Now that we can follow the population development, we also use the dashboard to evaluate the effectiveness of our treatments. Based on the findings we adjust our strategy."
"With the dashboard I can easily track the first presence and population development of the Tomato looper pest. PATS-C is a solid addition to our scouting program.”
"Now that we know precisely which hours the adult moths are most active during the night, we have changed the time of application with our misting system (LVM)."
Lans Group
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...
Lans Group
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
By digitizing the scouting process, Lans reduces dependence on manual labor and gains standardized, reliable data for pest management.
Photo: Trap-Eye™ getting scanned through the Vinder app
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.
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.”
Photo: Trap-Eye™ boxes in the greenhouse
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.
Want the full story on Lans’es journey with Trap-Eye™? Read abut it here!
Vincent van der Lans
Director of Cultivation & Energy
Rijk Zwaan
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...
Rijk Zwaan
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.
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
SEF
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.
Center for Horticultural Innovation (SEF)
Research & Innovation
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.
“This automated system captures high-resolution images of sticky traps to identify and count pests, providing real-time reports directly to our growers.”
Photo: October pest activity visualized: the Trap-Eye™ dashboard tracks bios and whitefly counts per day. Trap-Eye™ is a collaboration between Biobest and PATS.
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.
"With one camera we have a solid understanding of moth pressure development in our two hectares greenhouse."
"With PATS-C we can make decisions on interventions much earlier, resulting in less pest outbreaks."
"We now know that with BT applications we can keep up with the pest for a longer period, and as a result we use less insecticides."
Ammerlaan TGI
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...
Ammerlaan TGI
Potted 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. Thus, it can take some time before the presence of an unwanted insect is noticed. Insects should be monitored closely for a properly functioning IPM programme. Previously, scouting for insects involved dozens of sticky traps and light traps, which were checked and counted weekly. Cultivation manager Jan van der Arend compared these counts with the new data from PATS-C.
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.”
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
LKP Plants
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.
LKP Plants
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. Bas: "I walk through the crop daily and quickly notice any deviations. But for the moth pest population development,
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.
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
Stofbergen Plants
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...
Stofbergen Plants
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: PATS-C surrounded by Bromelias
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.
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
Photo: Robert in the greenhouse
Want the full story on Stofbergen’s journey with PATS? Read the Floral Daily feature
Vertify
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.
Vertify & PATS: Tracking the Diamondback Moth in Open Fields
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.
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.
Photo: Diamondback moth larva with leaf damage
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.
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.
Photo: The first PATS-C in the field
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:
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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.
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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.
Delphy
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...
Delphy: Tackling Grubs with Innovation and Insight
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.”
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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.
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
Photo: Cockchafers (Melolontha melolontha) from Delphy’s breeding study.
Two days after Christmas we warned this tomato grower of an increase of Tomato looper activity. The next day they found nothing, but a week later they noticed a caterpillar infestation - in a spot where they did not expect it. Our contact wrote: "We have decided to act immediately against this pest. So your warning was certainly justified, thank you!"
“The monitoring of the Tomato looper moth in gerbera must be done at least once a week. In this way, timely action can be taken in case of (first) pest pressure. The PATS-C system is able to detect such moths earlier and with higher frequency than in conventional pheromone traps and UV-light traps."
“As soon as we saw the first Tomato looper this year using the data from the PATS-C system, we called a meeting with our crop protection advisor to plan our defence. The monitoring enabled us to start three weeks earlier, because we could clearly predict when the caterpillar phase would begin."