Development of vertical-looking radar technology for monitoring insect migration

The development of vertical-looking radar (VLR) has allowed long-term monitoring of the altitudinal and temporal dynamics of high-flying insect Populations to be a practical proposition for the first time. The system also provides a unique insight into the behaviour of migrating insects. A new analysis routine for estimating body mass of over-flying insects is described. Procedures for calculating the maximum range of detection for insects of different sizes and the volume of air sensed by the VLR have also been developed. Sample data of diurnal patterns of activity, temporal variation of abundance and density-height profiles of aerial insect populations are presented. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.