Acoustic Sensors for Mango Pulp Weevil (Stretochenus Frigidus sp.) Detection

Mango Pulp Weevil (MPW) is a highly quarantined, invasive pest present in most countries in Asia. Acoustic emission investigation was not yet done on this specific pest. The comparison of sensors for effectual capture of the acoustic emission of MPW activity was conducted as part of the initial study for the development of a non-destructive detection method of the said pest in Mango fruits and trees. Three locally available sensors were identified and tested. These were MEMS (Micro Electrical-Mechanical System) microphone, Electret microphone and Piezoelectric transducer. The sensors were placed in a soundproofed box along with the MPW specimen for testing. Specific weevil activity was selected and samples of recorded signals using the sensors were analyzed and compared. Results showed that the MEMS microphone was sensitive to weevil movements and was more impervious to external noise.