WO2025259119A1

WO2025259119A1 - A photonic device

Info

Publication number: WO2025259119A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2025/050054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesco MEROLA; Miriam Cather SIMPSON
Original assignee: Auckland Uniservices Ltd
Current assignee: Auckland Uniservices Ltd
Priority date: 2024-06-10
Filing date: 2025-06-10
Publication date: 2025-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-10

Abstract

The technology relates to a device for detecting and disabling or killing one or more parasites on a bee, and also an associated method. The device may comprise a first source of illumination that impinges upon a bee and is used to generate images using a digital image detection system. The images are analysed by a rapid image analysis system for information about the presence / location of bees, and the presence / location of parasites on the bees. That information is communicated to a triggering and targeting system that directs the emission of light from a second source of illumination at parasite- carrying bees. The physical characteristics of the second source of light are tailored to harm or kill the parasites while leaving the one or more bees substantially or completely unharmed.

Description

A PHOTONIC DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of apiculture. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device for detecting and disabling or killing one or more parasites on a bee, preferably a honeybee. The present invention also relates to a method of detecting and disabling or killing one or more parasites on a bee, preferably using a device of the invention.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Apiculture is well established in Aotearoa New Zealand and in the rest of the world. Globally, honeybees deliver value in the form of pollination of high value crops and production of high value products like honey. New Zealand's Manuka honey is particularly prized globally. Aotearoa's apiculture industry produces 15,000 - 20,000 tonnes of honey per annum, with increasing export earnings reaching $NZ445M in 2022. However, both local and global markets experience production losses attributable to Varroa destructor (Varroa), a destructive parasitic mite of honeybees.

New Zealand's Varroa-related honey production losses were estimated $NZ39M in 2020, and the percentage of colonies lost each year continues to grow (6.4% in 2022) despite widespread treatment for Varroa (98.5% of beekeepers treated hives in 2022). Varroa is the single biggest factor in the global decline in honeybee health and productivity.

Currently, there are limited options for controlling Varroa. Globally, beekeepers rely heavily on regular use of synthetic miticides to minimise the colony death from Varroa infestation and the viruses they carry. Unfortunately, while such miticides are deemed generally safe to honeybees, in reality they may have detrimental effects on honeybee health and increase brood mortality.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages and/or to at least provide the public and/or industry with a useful choice.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first embodiment the present invention may broadly be said to consist in a device for detecting and disabling or killing one or more parasites on a bee, the device comprising a first source of illumination that impinges upon a bee or collection of bees that potentially carry parasites, the first source of illumination being used to generate one or more images or one or more series of images using a digital image detection system, and the one or more images or one or more series of images being sent to a rapid image analysis system that analyses the one or more images or one or more series of images for information about the presence and/or location of one or more bees, and the presence and/or location of one or more parasites on the one or more bees, and the rapid image analysis system communicating that information to a triggering and targeting system that directs the emission of light from a second light source, and the emission of light from the second source of illumination being targeted substantially at parasite-carrying bees, and illuminating wholly the parasite-carrying bees or substantially the one or more parasites on the one or more bees, and wherein the physical characteristics of the second source of light have been tailored to harm or kill the one or more parasites while leaving the one or more bees substantially or completely unharmed.

Preferably the first source of illumination is selected from the group consisting of ambient, monochromatic and multiwavelength light.

Alternatively, the first source of illumination is or comprises an artificial light source.

Alternatively, the first source of illumination is or comprises one or more lasers.

Preferably the triggering and targeting system activates the second source of illumination to direct it to one or more target locations.

Preferably the targeting of the illumination by the second source of illumination is achieved through activating one or more of a selected subset of static outputs from the second source of illumination.

Alternatively the targeting of the illumination by the second source of illumination is achieved through active beam steering of one or more of a selected subset of outputs from the second source of illumination. Preferably the second source of illumination is selected from the group consisting of monochromatic and multiwavelength light.

Alternatively, the second source of illumination forms a single beam of light.

Alternatively, the second source of illumination forms a set of <20 beams of light.

Alternatively, the second source of illumination forms a set of multiple beams of light.

Alternatively, the second source of illumination consists of one or more lasers.

Alternatively, the second source of illumination consists of a filtered multiwavelength (broadband) source.

Preferably the second source of illumination emits in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, substantially 400 - 700 nm.

Preferably the second source of illumination emits in the 400 - 450 nm region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Preferably the second source of illumination emits in the 400 - 600 nm region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Preferably the second source of illumination emits in the 450 - 600 nm region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Preferably the second source of illumination emits in both the 400 - 450 and 450 - 600 nm regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Preferably the physical characteristic of the second source of illumination that preferentially harms or kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is the one or more wavelengths of the second source of illumination.

Alternatively, the physical characteristic of the second source of illumination that preferentially harms or kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is the pulse duration of the second source.

Alternatively, the physical characteristic of the second source of illumination that preferentially harms or kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is the pulse power of the second source. Alternatively, the physical characteristic of the second source of illumination that preferentially harms or kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is the average power of the second source.

Alternatively, the physical characteristic of the second source of illumination that preferentially harms or kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is the spatial distribution of beam intensity of the second source.

Alternatively, the physical characteristics of the second source of light that preferentially harms of kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is a combination of one or more of the wavelengths, pulse duration, pulse power, average power and the spatial distribution of beam intensity of the second source.

Preferably, the physical characteristics of the second source of illumination have been selected so that the second source of illumination is relatively strongly absorbed by the parasite and substantially less or not absorbed by the bee.

Alternatively, the physical characteristics of the second source of illumination have been selected to preferentially create a relatively strong aversion behavioural effect in the parasite and to create a substantially less or no aversion behavioural effect in the bee.

Alternatively, the physical characteristics of the second source of illumination have been selected to preferentially communicate an optical force to the parasite and to communicate a substantially less or no optical force to the bee.

The device described above wherein the second source of illumination emits light at one or more wavelengths of about 440 nm or 523 nm.

The device described above wherein the second source of illumination emits light at one or more wavelengths between 440 nm and 550 nm.

The device described above wherein the second source of illumination emits light at one or more wavelengths between 400 nm and 550 nm.

Preferably the second source of illumination is not intrinsically pulsed so that it emits throughout a time window determined by the triggering and targeting system.

Alternatively, the second source of illumination emits pulses that are between 1 picosecond and 50 nanoseconds long so that it emits bursts of pulses throughout a time window determined by the triggering and targeting system. Alternatively, the intensity of the second source of illumination varies during a time window of illumination of the target area.

Preferably, the second source of illumination delivers a spatial distribution of beam intensity selected from the group of Gaussian, Bessel and Airy.

Preferably the one or more lasers may be selected from the group consisting of a laser diode, quantum dot laser, solid-state laser and fibre laser.

Preferably the first source of illumination may be or comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

Preferably the one or more light emitting diodes is selected from the group consisting of organic light emitting diodes, polymer light emitting diodes, semiconductor light emitting diodes and solid-state light emitting diodes.

Preferably the second source of illumination has a power range of 350-750mW.

Preferably the second source of illumination has a power range of 25-350mW. More preferred is a power range of 300-350mW. However, other appropriate ranges may become apparent with further experimentation.

In a second embodiment the invention may broadly be said to consist in method of detecting and disabling one or more parasites on a bee, the method comprising illuminating a bee or collection of bees that potentially carry parasites using a first source of illumination, generating one or more images or one or more series of images using a digital image detection system, and sending the images to a rapid image analysis system, analysing the one or more images or one or more series of images using the rapid image analysis system for information about the presence and/or location of one or more bees, and the presence and/or location of one or more parasites on the one or more bees, and the image analysis system communicating the information to a triggering and targeting system that directs the emission of light from a second source of illumination, and the emission of light from the second source of illumination being targeted substantially at parasite-carrying bees, and illuminating wholly the parasite-carrying bees or substantially the one or more parasites on the one or more bees, and wherein the physical characteristics of the second source of illumination have been tailored to harm or kill the one or more parasites while leaving the one or more bees substantially or completely unharmed.

Preferably the first source of illumination is or comprises an artificial light source.

Preferably the first source of illumination is or comprises one or more lasers.

Preferably the one or more lasers selected from the group consisting of a laser diode, quantum dot laser, solid-state laser and fibre laser.

Preferably the first source of illumination is or comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

Preferably the second source of light has a power of between 25mW-350mW. More preferred is a power range of 300-350mW. However, other appropriate ranges may become apparent with further experimentation.

The device or the method as described, wherein the one or more parasites is or comprises Varroa destructor.

The device or the method substantially as herein described with reference to the figures and/or examples.

The following embodiments and preferences may relate alone or in any combination of any two or more to any of the above aspects.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination and/or the second source of illumination emits light at a wavelength of between about 300 and about 1200nm, for example between about 300 and about 1200, about 350 and about 1200, about 400 and about 1200, about 450 and about 1200, about 500 and about 1200, about 550 and about 1200, about 600 and about 1200, about 650 and about 1200, about 700 and about 1200, about 750 and about 1200, about 800 and about 1200, about 850 and about 1200, about 900 and about 1200, about 950 and about 1200, about 1000 and about 1200, about 1050 and about 1200, about 1100 and about 1200, about 1150 and about 1200nm. In various embodiments the first source of illumination and/or the second source of illumination emits light at a wavelength of between about 400 and about 700nm, for example between about 400 and about 700, about 400 and about 650, about 400 and about 600, about 400 and about 550, about 400 and about 500, about 400 and about 450, about 400 and about 440, about 400 and about 440, about 400 and about 430, about 405 and about 445, about 405 and about 440, about 405 and about 435, about 405 and about 440, about 405 and about 445, about 410 and about 445, about 410 and about 440, about 410 and about 435, about 410 and about 430, about 415 and about 445, about 415 and about 440, about 415 and about 435, about 415 and about 430, about 420 and about 445, about 420 and about 440, about 425 and about 440, about 425 and about 435nm, preferably between about 420 and about 440nm.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination and/or the second source of illumination emits light at a wavelength of about 400, 405, 410, 415, 420, 425, 430, 435, 440, 445 or 450nm, preferably at about 430nm or at about 440nm, and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination and/or the second source of light emits light at a wavelength of about 500, 510, 515, 525, 530, 540nm, preferably at about 520nm or at about 530nm, and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination and/or the second source of light emits light at a wavelength of about 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529 or 530nm, preferably at about 525nm or at about 523nm, and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values.

As described herein, in various embodiments the second source of light emits light at between about 400 and about 550 nm from at least one light source to harm or kill the one or more parasites while leaving the one or more bees substantially or completely unharmed.

In various embodiments the second source of light emits light at a wavelength of about 440nm or 523nm.

In various embodiments the second source of light emits light at a wavelength of about 447nm or 520nm.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination is or comprises one or more lasers.

In various embodiments the one or more lasers selected from the group consisting of a laser diode, quantum dot laser, solid-state laser and fibre laser. In various embodiments the first source of illumination is or comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

In various embodiments the one or more light emitting diodes is selected from the group consisting of organic light emitting diodes, polymer light emitting diodes, semiconductor light emitting diodes and solid-state light emitting diodes.

In various embodiments the second source of light, preferably the one or more lasers and/or the one or more light emitting diodes emit light at a wavelength between about 400 and 550nm, for example between about 400 and 540, 400 and 535, 400 and 530, 400 and 525, 400 and 520, 400 and 515, 400 and 510m, 400 and 505, 400 and 500, 400 and 495, 400 and 490, 400 and 485, 400 and 480, 400 and 475, 400 and 470, 400 and 465, 400 and 460, 400 and 455, 400 and 450, 400 and 445, 400 and 440, 410 and 540, 410 and

535, 410 and 530, 410 and 525, 410 and 520, 410 and 515, 410 and 510m, 410 and 505, 410 and 500, 410 and 495, 410 and 490, 410 and 485, 410 and 480, 410 and 475, 410 and 470, 410 and 465, 410 and 460, 410 and 455, 410 and 450, 410 and 445, 410 and

440, 420 and 540, 420 and 535, 420 and 530, 420 and 525, 420 and 520, 420 and 515,

420 and 510m, 420 and 505, 420 and 500, 420 and 495, 420 and 490, 420 and 485, 420 and 480, 420 and 475, 420 and 470, 420 and 465, 420 and 460, 420 and 455, 420 and 450, 420 and 445, 420 and 440, 430 to 540, 440 to 540, 450 to 540, 460 to 540, 470 and 540, 480 and 540, 490 and 540, 500 and 540, 510 and 540, 515 and 540, 520 and 540, or 520 and 530nm.

In various embodiments the second source of light, preferably the one or more lasers and/or the one or more light emitting diodes emit light at a wavelength of about 440 nm or 523nm.

In various embodiments the second source of light, preferably the one or more lasers and/or the one or more light emitting diodes emit light at a wavelength of about 447 nm or 520nm.

In various embodiments the second source of illumination, preferably the one or more lasers and/or the one or more light emitting diodes emit light at a wavelength of about 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450nm, for example about 440nm, and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values, for example the laser may emit light at a wavelength of from about 430 to about 450nm, or from about 435 to about 445nm.

In various embodiments the second source of illumination, preferably the one or more lasers and/or the one or more light emitting diodes emit light at a wavelength of about 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534 or 535 nm, for example about 523 nm, and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values, for example the laser may emit light at a wavelength of from about 510 to about 535 nm, or from about 515 to about 530nm.

In various embodiments the second source of illumination emits light at a wavelength in the range 400 and 550 nm.

In various embodiments the second source of illumination has a power of about 25mW to 350mW. In more preferred embodiments the power may be between 300-350mW. However, other appropriate ranges may become apparent with further experimentation.

In various embodiments the second source of illumination has a power of about 25mW to 750mW. In more preferred embodiments the power may be between 300-500mW. However, other appropriate ranges may become apparent with further experimentation.

In various embodiments disabling one or more parasites on a bee involves damaging, disorienting, killing, otherwise rendering harmless or disengaging the one or more parasites from the bee.

In various embodiments disabling one or more parasites on a bee may comprise disabling by heating the one or more parasites and/or by free radical generation.

In various embodiments the bee is a honeybee.

In various embodiments the one or more parasites is or comprises Varroa destructor.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Although the present invention is broadly as defined above, those persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not limited thereto and that the invention also includes embodiments of which the following description gives examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A number of embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a graph of Ultraviolet-Visible-Near Infrared (UV-VIS-NIR) absorption spectra of varroa (dotted line), honeybee (solid line) and difference (dashed line).

Figure 2 is a schematic of a standard hive comprising the device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3a is the auto-fluorescence emission spectra of Varroa and honeybees illuminated at 430nm and at 608-648nm.

Figure 3b is an image of the auto-fluorescence of Varroa.

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is an illustration of the temporal sequence of detection, tracking and elimination of Varroa using the device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and claims means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting each statement in this specification and claims that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both. As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun. The present invention relates to a device for detecting and disabling one or more parasites, preferably Varroa destructor, on a bee, preferably a honeybee.

Described herein is a device for detecting and disabling or killing one or more parasites on a bee, and a method of detecting and disabling one or more parasites on a bee. In various embodiments the device comprises a first source of illumination that impinges upon a bee or collection of bees that potentially carry parasites. In various embodiments the method comprises illuminating a bee or collection of bees that potentially carry parasites using a first source of illumination.

The first source of illumination may be selected from the group consisting of ambient, monochromatic and multiwavelength.

The first source of illumination may be or may comprise ambient light.

The first source of illumination may be or may comprise an artificial light source. The artificial light source may be in the visible part of the spectrum (400 - 700 nm), the nearinfrared part of the spectrum (700 - 1200 nm), in the ultraviolet region (300 - 400 nm) or may span more than one region (for broadband sources, for example white light).

An artificial light source may induce an absorption event, a scattering event, reflection, and/or an emission event such as fluorescence or phosphorescence in one or more object(s) illuminated by the light source.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination may be or may comprise monochromatic light, for example laser light or light from a filtered multiwavelength source.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination may be or may comprise multiwavelength light, for example more than one monochromatic light source, a broadly filtered multiwavelength source, or a "white light" broadband source.

The first source of illumination and/or the second source of illumination may be or may comprise only one light source. Alternatively, in various embodiments the first source of illumination and/or the second source of light may be or may comprise more than one light source. For example, in various embodiments the device may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or more light sources and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values, for example from about 1 to about 20, about 1 to about 15, about 1 to about 10 light sources. In various embodiments the device may comprise 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or more light sources, for example 3 light sources.

In various embodiments the light source may comprise a plurality of light sources, for example one or more lamps, lasers or light emitting diodes.

When more than one light source is present, each of the light sources may be of the same or a different type.

In various embodiments a plurality of light source may be present, wherein each light source in the plurality of light sources is independently selected from the group consisting of one or more lamps, one or more lasers and one or more light emitting diodes, preferably one or more lasers, preferably one or more light emitting diodes.

In various embodiments a plurality of light source may be present, wherein each light source in the plurality of light sources is a laser independently selected from the group consisting of a laser diode, quantum dot laser, solid-state laser and a fibre laser.

In various embodiments a plurality of light source may be present, wherein each light source in the plurality of light sources is a light emitting diode independently selected from the group consisting of an organic light emitting diode, polymer light emitting diode, semiconductor light emitting diode and solid-state light emitting diode.

Light from the first source of illumination may be absorbed, scattered and/or reflected by objects, for example bees and/or parasites in an illumination pathway.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination is used to generate one or more images or one or more series of images using a digital image detection system. In various embodiments the digital image detection system collects the one or more images or the one or more series of images.

The digital imaging detection system may comprise spatially resolved components that are capable of creating an electronic image in a manner that allows that image to be manipulated and/or analysed using computer software. Suitable digital imaging detection systems will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may comprise, for example, a CCD (charge-coupled device) array sensor with digital output, a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor with digital output, or a SPAD (single photon avalanche diode) sensor with digital output.

The light detected by the digital image detection system may be from light scattered, reflected and/or emitted by objects in the field of view. In various embodiments the detection system may include one or more lenses, filters, polarizers, irises, slits, shutters and/or other optical components.

In various embodiments the one or more images or one or more series of images are sent to a rapid image analysis system that analyses the one or more images or one or more series of images for information about the presence and/or location of one or more bees, and the presence and/or location of one or more parasites on the one or more bees.

In various embodiments the rapid image analysis system communicates information to a triggering and aiming system that directs the emission of light from a second light source, (herein 'second source of illumination').

The first source of illumination and/or the second source of illumination may be powered in a number of ways. Suitable means to power the first source of illumination and/or the second source of illumination will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may be or may comprise, for example battery power, solar power, electricity from a line, or a combination of any two or more thereof.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination and/or the second source of illumination may utilise one or more lenses, filters, polarizers, attenuators, irises, slits, electronic shutters, mechanical shutters and/or other optical components.

In various embodiments the rapid image analysis system may identify that a bee is present, determine whether the bee carries one or more mite, and/or determine where the one or more mite is on the bee, preferably in real time or near real time.

In various embodiments the rapid image analysis system may determine and/or track the bee or bees' trajectory (or trajectories), and the parasite or parasites' trajectory (or trajectories), absolute and/or relative to the bees'. Once the trajectory or trajectories are determined, the rapid imaging system may instruct the second source of illumination to emit light, at a specific time, for a specific period of time and/or may instruct the second source of illumination to target t a particular area.

The rapid image analysis system may process the one or more images or the one or more series of images before analysing the one or more images or the one or more series of images, for example by binning, contrast enhancement, colour adjusting, and/or other using other image masking or image enhancement techniques. In various embodiments the rapid image analysis system may comprise a computer, laptop or processor capable of interacting with a human user. In various embodiments the rapid imaging analysis system comprises a computing module, preferably a computer or laptop.

In various embodiments the rapid image analysis system may process images in real-time or nearly in real time, for example in 0 to 10 seconds.

In various embodiments the rapid imaging system may provide output to the triggering and targeting system that encodes a time for i) activating the second source of illumination, ii) directing the second source of illumination to at least one target location set of target locations, and/or iii) deactivating the second source of illumination.

In various embodiments the at least one target location may comprise multiple target locations, for example about 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 or about 100 target locations, preferably fewer than about 100 target locations.

In various embodiments activating the second source of illumination and/or deactivating the second source of illumination may be through electronic or mechanical filters or electronic or mechanical shutters or may be through powering of the light source.

In various embodiments directing the second source of illumination to the at least one target location may be through activating a select subset of sub-sources with static beam directions or through beam steering using a galvanometer, for example, to direct one or more sub-source beams.

In various embodiments the emission of light from the second source of illumination is targeted substantially at parasite-carrying bees, illuminating wholly the parasite-carrying bees or substantially the one or more parasites on the one or more bees. The physical characteristics of the second source of illumination described herein have been tailored to harm or kill the one or more parasites while leaving the one or more bees substantially or completely unharmed.

The second source of illumination may be or may comprise an artificial light source. The artificial light source may be in the visible part of the spectrum (400 - 700 nm), the nearinfrared part of the spectrum (700 - 1200 nm), in the ultraviolet region (300 - 400 nm) or may span more than one region (for broadband sources, for example white light). In various embodiments the second source of illumination may have one or more emission wavelengths chosen to be in a region of the electromagnetic spectrum that is relatively strongly absorbed by the parasite, preferably Varroa destructor and relatively poorly absorbed by bees, preferably honeybees.

In various embodiments the second source of illumination may have one or more emission wavelengths chosen to be in a region of the electromagnetic spectrum that creates a strong aversion behavioural effect in the parasite, preferably Varroa destructor and a relatively weak behavioural response in bees, preferably honeybees.

In various embodiments the second source of illumination may have intrinsically pulsed output in the femtosecond, picosecond, or nanosecond timescale.

In various embodiments the second source of light may have intrinsically pulsed output in the microsecond, millisecond or seconds timescale.

The pulsed output may be pulsed through and/or attenuated through the use of mechanical or electronic shutters.

In various embodiments the pulsed output may be or comprise bursts of pulses, pulses that are of variable length, and/or be a uniform distribution of substantially identical pulses.

In various embodiments the intensity of each pulse in the pulsed output may be identical or may differ by up to a factor of 5-fold.

In various embodiments the intensity may be any value selected from the range of about 0.1 to 500mW/mm², for example about 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500mW/mm² and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values.

In various embodiments each pulse in the pulsed output may have a fluence in the range of about 0.01 to 5000 mJ/mm² , for example about 0.01, 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 mJ/mm² , and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values.

In various embodiments each pulse in the pulsed output may have a power in the range of about 10 to 500mW, for example about 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500mW, and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values, for example about 300 to about 350mW. The second source of illumination may emit a converging or diverging beam at a target or may be collimated at a target.

In various embodiments the second source of light may be a single source that is split into multiple beams through free-space optics or through fibre delivery.

In various embodiments the second source of light may comprise an array of sources that are used unsplit or may be an array of sources, each of which is split into a subarray through free-space optics or through fibre delivery.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination and/or the second source of light emits light at a wavelength of between about 300 and about 1200nm, for example between about 300 and about 1200, about 350 and about 1200, about 400 and about 1200, about 450 and about 1200, about 500 and about 1200, about 550 and about 1200, about 600 and about 1200, about 650 and about 1200, about 700 and about 1200, about 750 and about 1200, about 800 and about 1200, about 850 and about 1200, about 900 and about 1200, about 950 and about 1200, about 1000 and about 1200, about 1050 and about 1200, about 1100 and about 1200, about 1150 and about 1200nm.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination and/or the second source of illumination emits light at a wavelength of between about 400 and about 700nm, for example between about 400 and about 700, about 400 and about 650, about 400 and about 600, about 400 and about 550, about 400 and about 500, about 400 and about 450, about 400 and about 440, about 400 and about 440, about 400 and about 430, about 405 and about 445, about 405 and about 440, about 405 and about 435, about 405 and about 440, about 405 and about 445, about 410 and about 445, about 410 and about 440, about 410 and about 435, about 410 and about 430, about 415 and about 445, about 415 and about 440, about 415 and about 435, about 415 and about 430, about 420 and about 445, about 420 and about 440, about 425 and about 440, about 425 and about 435nm, preferably between about 420 and about 440nm.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination and/or the second source of illumination emits light at a wavelength of about 500, 510, 515, 525, 530, 540nm, preferably at about 520nm or at about 530nm, and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination and/or the second source of illumination emits light at a wavelength of about 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529 or 530nm, preferably at about 525nm or at about 523nm, and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values.

In various embodiments the second source of illumination emits light at a wavelength of about 440nm or 523nm.

In various embodiments the one or more lasers selected from the group consisting of a laser diode, quantum dot laser, solid-state laser and fibre laser.

In various embodiments the first source of illumination is or comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

In various embodiments the second source of illumination, preferably the one or more lasers and/or the one or more light emitting diodes emit light at a wavelength between about 400 and 550nm, for example between about 400 and 540, 400 and 535, 400 and 530, 400 and 525, 400 and 520, 400 and 515, 400 and 510m, 400 and 505, 400 and 500, 400 and 495, 400 and 490, 400 and 485, 400 and 480, 400 and 475, 400 and 470, 400 and 465, 400 and 460, 400 and 455, 400 and 450, 400 and 445, 400 and 440, 410 and 540, 410 and 535, 410 and 530, 410 and 525, 410 and 520, 410 and 515, 410 and 510m, 410 and 505, 410 and 500, 410 and 495, 410 and 490, 410 and 485, 410 and 480, 410 and 475, 410 and 470, 410 and 465, 410 and 460, 410 and 455, 410 and 450, 410 and

445, 410 and 440, 420 and 540, 420 and 535, 420 and 530, 420 and 525, 420 and 520,

420 and 515, 420 and 510m, 420 and 505, 420 and 500, 420 and 495, 420 and 490, 420 and 485, 420 and 480, 420 and 475, 420 and 470, 420 and 465, 420 and 460, 420 and

455, 420 and 450, 420 and 445, 420 and 440, 430 to 540, 440 to 540, 450 to 540, 460 to 540, 470 and 540, 480 and 540, 490 and 540, 500 and 540, 510 and 540, 515 and 540, 520 and 540, or 520 and 530nm. In various embodiments the second source of illumination, preferably the one or more lasers and/or the one or more light emitting diodes emit light at a wavelength of about 440 nm or 523nm.

In various embodiments the bee is a honeybee.

In various embodiments the second source of illumination comprises one or more lasers, for example one laser.

In various embodiments the second source of illumination comprises one or more lasers, for example a plurality of lasers.

The second source of illumination may emit light at a wavelength of about 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450nm, for example about 440nm, and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values, for example the laser may emit light at a wavelength of from about 430 to about 450nm, or from about 435 to about 445nm.

The second source of illumination may emit light at a wavelength of about 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 533, 534 or 535 nm, for example about 523 nm, and suitable ranges may be selected from any of these values, for example the laser may emit light at a wavelength of from about 510 to about 535 nm, or from about 515 to about 530nm.

The second source of illumination, for example the one or more lasers may emit light at a wavelength in the range 400 and 550 nm.

The second source of illumination, for example the one or more lasers may emit light at a wavelength of about 440 nm or 523 nm.

The second source of illumination, for example the one or more light emitting diodes may emit light at a wavelength in the range 400 and 550 nm.

The second source of illumination, for example the one or more light emitting diodes may emit light at a wavelength of about 440 nm or 523 nm.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors believe that the Varroa exoskeleton has key molecules that may be used to target Varroa. To this end, the inventors have identified that emission, scattering or reflection of light from the one or more parasites will differ significantly from the emission, scattering or reflection of light from the bees. This difference may be in wavelength and/or intensity. The emission, scattering and/or reflection of the first source of light may be used to generate signal proportional to the intensity of the emitted, scattered or reflected light detected such that, if the signal is higher than a predetermined threshold, the one or more lasers are activated. The signal may be selected to include a previously determined wavelength or range of wavelengths, so that the signal proportional to the intensity of the emitted, scattered or reflected light from the Varroa is substantially higher than the signal intensity of the emitted, scattered or reflected light from the bees.

In various embodiments the second source of illumination has been tailored to harm or kill the one or more parasites while leaving the one or more bees substantially or completely unharmed. As described herein, in various embodiments the second source of light emits light at between about 400 and about 550 nm from at least one light source to harm or kill the one or more parasites while leaving the one or more bees substantially or completely unharmed. For example, the second source of illumination may emit light at between 400 and 550 nm, the at least one light source is adapted to emit light at a wavelength of between about 400 and 450nm, for example between about 400 and about 445, about 400 and about 440, about 400 and about 435, about 400 and about 430, about 400 and about 425, about 400 and about 420, about 400 and about 415, about 400 and about 410, about 400 and about 405, about 405 and about 445, about 405 and about 440, about 405 and about 435, about 405 and about 440, about 405 and about 445, about 410 and about 445, about 410 and about 440, about 410 and about 435, about 410 and about 430, about 415 and about 445, about 415 and about 440, about 415 and about 435, about 415 and about 430, about 420 and about 445, about 420 and about 440, about 425 and about 440, about 425 and about 435nm, about 450 and about 550, about 450 and about 530, about 460 and about 530, about 480 to about 530, or about 500 to about 530nm, preferably at a wavelength of between about 400 and 450 nm, preferably between about 500 and about 530, preferably at a wavelength of about 430 nm, preferably at a wavelength of about 523nm.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that in various embodiments the method comprises monitoring, controlling and/or adjusting one or more laser parameters to maximise energy transfer to parasites, preferably Varroa destructor (Varroa) while minimising energy absorption by bees, preferably honeybees. In various embodiments the method may comprise exploiting transfer of energy to pigments unique to or overrepresented on Varroa exoskeletons.

In various embodiments the present disclosure provides a device and a method, comprising a second source of illumination. In various embodiments the second source of illumination, for example the one or more lasers or one or more light emitting diodes, is tuned to a frequency in resonance with the electronic absorption of one or more pigments unique to or overrepresented on Varroa exoskeletons.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors believe that the device and/or method of the present invention may be used to selectively deposit energy into Varroa so that the Varroa is/are disabled. In various embodiments the Varroa may be disabled through heat and/or free radical formation. In various embodiments bees are unaffected or largely unaffected by the method and/or the device described herein.

In various embodiments the Varroa may disengage from bees while the bees enter a hive (for example, by falling through a mesh floorboard) and/or suffer damage, preferably rendering the Varroa harmless to pupae inside the hive.

In various embodiments honeybees are unaffected or minimally affected by the method of the invention. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that in some cases Varroa may be partially hidden beneath honeybees and that targeting such Varroa may be challenging.

In various embodiments the device may be implemented with an isotropic irradiation configuration using multiple fiber lasers placed at the beehive entrance. Preferably the entrance is configured for honeybees to pass through one at a time (via a channel, for example), ensuring adequate radiation dose delivered to each Varroa mite. Monitoring of Varroa mite dislodgement from honeybees, or leftovers quantification will provide useful information about efficiency and specificity of the technique. This in turn will provide data that informs modification and optimization of laser parameters to improve outcomes, such as better detection and targeting of the Varroa mite. By exploiting existing computer vision techniques for Varroa detection and using machine learning tools we can build more effective image recognition algorithms.

Figure 2 gives an illustration of a multiple entry device 110 of the present invention. However, in other embodiments of the device of the present invention, there may be a single-entry device as that may be sufficient to remove varroa mites from bees.

A multiple entry device 110 has multiple channels (indicated as 102) in a beehive 120 which a bee 103 can enter and travel through. The device 110 includes within the channel a monitoring system 104. In preferred embodiments, the monitoring system 104 sits first within the channel 102. The monitoring system 104 is preferably at least one but may be more than one micro-camera. As the bee moves through the channel, it will be scanned by the micro-camera(s) 104, and any Varroa mites on the bee will be identified and tracked using image recognition software and fluorescence emission.

Preliminary tests have shown that Varroa mites emit readily identifiable fluorescence or phosphorescence signatures. For example, Figure 3a shows a graph of the fluorescence signatures where the Varroa mite signature is labelled as 200 and the bee signature as 220.

By using fluorescence or phosphorescence emission to identify Varroa mites on the bee, this allows for the selective irradiation of only mite-carrying honeybees, reducing the risk of damage to honeybees not carrying Varroa mites, which is likely to constitute the majority of the hive's population.

In various embodiments of the device there is an entrance tunnel (channel 102), where honeybees can only transit in a single layer. While crossing the tunnel 102, a non- invasive monitoring system 104 registers the presence of one or more mites on a honeybee.

Note, the monitoring system 104 in preferred embodiments may consist in a digital image detection system and/or a rapid image analysis system, where images of the bees moving through the tunnel/channel are sent to the rapid image analysis system from the image detection system, and that image analysis system analyses the images for information about the presence and/or location on the bees moving through the tunnel, as well as the presence and/or location of one or more parasites on the bees. The image analysis system then communicates that information to a triggering and targeting system.

Therefore, once detected, the mite(s) will be traced to inform the triggering and targeting system (herein referred to the elimination system) 105, operating at a fixed position in the tunnel, when to activate.

The elimination system 105 consists of bathing the mite and the honeybee with laser light of specific wavelength(s), power and duration that adversely affects the mites, preferably only the mites. The neutralized mites will detach from honeybees and fall through a grating floor of the hive. In preferred embodiments of the present invention the elimination system will have lasers 105 (as shown in Figure 2) that when activated create a neutralisation window 107 that the bee 103 must move through. That window of laser light neutralises the mites and they fall from the bee.

In some embodiments additional modules 106 of the elimination system may be provided in order to activate and provide additional treatment of the bees.

Preferably the monitoring system will have inspection cameras (image detection system) operating in the visible and/or infrared regions, acting in combination with an excitation system to stimulate mite fluorescence to enable and/or support the tracking system.

An alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown in Figure 4. Where inspection cameras CA and CB are positioned to capture images of bees 300 as they move through a tunnel or channel 301 in the hive 302. The inspection cameras CA and CB are linked to an analysis module CS (part of the triggering and targeting system) that is connected to lasers LA, LB and Lc, which are activated when a mite is detected, bathing the bee and mite in light in order to neutralise the mites on the bee 300. A more detailed side view of this alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 5 where a side view of the travel of bees 300 is shown. Additional elements that are included in the analysis module CS are shown, these include image processing, identification of varroa mites and position detection and sending feedback to the position detector (targeting module) as well as feedback on when to trigger the laser.

If needed, addition "elimination modules" (that is triggering and targeting systems) may be added to improve removal of mites from the bees moving through the channel 301.

In some forms of the device of the present invention, the tunnel or channel may be one or more transparent cylindrical tubes (or different geometry, e.g. hexagonal), preferably 8mm width to fit the entrance of NZ beehives or bigger to adapt to other beehives as necessary, and between 5-30cm long. Preferably there may be a large area for bees to land on the hive, after which the bees will be channelled in single line(s) into the tunnel/channel(s).

Just after the entrance to the channel(s), preferably between one and three detectors (preferably CCD cameras) will monitor and scan each bee coming in, recording the images or video sequence at a frame rate (preferably between Ifps and lOOfps and resolution of 2048x2048 pixels that can be cropped down to 128x128 to increase the acquisition speed if needed (lower resolution means lighter amount of data and quicker processing).

The cameras may be placed preferably at an angle of 180° (if two) or 120° (if three) surrounding the channel and have a field of view between 60° - 180°. A lens mounted on the camera will ensure the objects in the channel will be always in focus. The focal length can either be adjusted automatically (autofocus) or kept constant. In preferred embodiments, the depth of field of the lens will be>8mm. The distance between the camera and the channel may be chosen accordingly, to ensure the objects are always in focus when moving. The exposure time can also be adjusted automatically to adapt the image to the illumination of the environment. Cameras usually have a sensor with sensitivity from VIS to IR spectrum, allowing their use in dark or very low illumination conditions.

In further preferred embodiments, a raspberry Pi or Jetson nano or PC or similar, connected to the cameras, may process the images in (quasi) real time (in the order of milliseconds) and inform if a mite (or more mites) is identified through deep learningbased image segmentation algorithms. The identified mites will be tracked for the time needed to reach the second stage, i.e. the irradiation or elimination window. Preferably this will be placed at a distance from the monitoring window of 0 to 3cm, depending on the time needed to get the answer from the software about the presence of a Varroa mite. Once in the elimination window, the lasers will be activated through a feedback signal and informed to fire for a certain amount of time if mites are detected. The proper choice of the wavelength, intensity and irradiation time will guarantee the irradiated bees are not harmed while mites are eliminated or deactivated (at least within a certain percentage to be calculated).

Preferably the images of the bees will be stored in a dedicated cloud storage system and streamed in real-time via wi-fi to allow access to the raw data from whatever device a user may have connected to the web.

Preferably the laser output(s) can originate from a single fiber-coupled laser source or coming from two to three different sources, cw or pulsed. It is preferred that the laser(s) are powered by solar panels. The beam(s) can be either collimated with an 8mm diameter or focused with some optical element.

Preferably the average power of each laser may be in the range 10-lOOOmW. Preferably the total irradiation time for each bee may be between 0.001-5s.

Preferably the average power of each laser may be in the range 10-lOOOmW. Preferably the total irradiation time for each bee may be between 0.001-2s.

Preferably underneath the channels will be a mesh grid with grid holes of about 2mm size to let dead mites fall outside the device. Preferably a cleaning system (piston, puff of air, water, or similar) may be used to empty the channel from time to time to prevent clogging due to dead bees/mites, pollen, etc.

In preferred embodiments, detection and tracking procedures will be implemented using state-of-the-art image analysis combined with Al and machine learning techniques.

Preferably the detection system may be based on Internet of Things (loT) technologies supported by cloud computing for low cost, low battery power consumption during operation, (quasi) real-time data analysis, compactness, and portability.

Preferably, the main structure of the device will be built with materials highly compatible with honeybees' health and easily integrable in the beehive, such as wood or foam polystyrene. In various embodiments the device may comprise a plurality of lasers, preferably an array of LEDs irradiating the honeybees at a predetermined frequency and power. In some embodiments, every honeybee entering the hive may be irradiated.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

The following non-limiting examples are provided to illustrate the present invention and in no way limit the scope thereof. As would be appreciated by a skilled person in the art, many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: absorbance spectra

Varroa exoskeleton samples and honeybee samples were examined using optical spectroscopy (UV/Vis/NIR, Raman), mass spectrometry and MALDI imaging.

These analyses were used to characterize pigments of Varroa and honeybee exoskeletons to identify targets that are strongly and selectively absorbing for Varroa but not honeybee.

The Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-VIS-NIR) absorption spectra of Varroa and honeybees were recorded.

Figure 1 shows that a region between 500-600nm was found to be absorbed mostly by Varroa (not by honeybee). The graph in Figure 1 shows absorbance % of light versus the wavelength of the light: the solid line is absorbance spectrum of bee, the dotted line is absorbance of the mite, while the dashed curve represents the difference between the two, i.e. indicates the region of the spectrum where laser irradiation might be more effective on Varroa.

Example 2: fluorescence imaging

The emission spectra of Varroa and honeybees illuminated with a 430nm source were measured. Varroa exhibited a distinctive fluorescence emission at 458 nm (Figure 3a). Similar analysis has been performed using a Cy5 filter, in a region safer for bees. Indeed, excitation is between 608-648nm (that is not absorbed at all by bees, see Fig.l), while emission is between 672-712nm. This fluorescence emission is in the red-NiR region, easily detectable with an appropriate camera. Figure 3b shows an image of the autofluorescence of Varroa.

The inventors believe that this distinctive fluorescence may be used to identify Varroa- carrying honeybees.

Example 3: irradiation tests

Varroa mites and bees have been irradiated by certain laser wavelengths, based on the findings from Example 1. Different parameters were tested, namely laser power, beam dimensions, irradiation time, other than the laser wavelength. For all of them a "Control" group i.e. no irradiation performed, was included.

Varroa were irradiated dorsally, while bees were irradiated on the abdomen (where Varroa attach predominantly), and the outcome evaluated every 30 minutes, up to two hours after irradiation.

The results (shown in Tables 1 to 3 below) indicate that of the wavelengths tested, 520nm was confirmed to be the most effective in eliminating Varroa while keeping the bees unharmed.

This result is in agreement with the absorbance spectra shown in Example 1.

Table 1 : Effect of irradiation at 447nm on Varroa mites and bees

Table 2: Effect of irradiation at 520nm on Varroa mites and bees

Table 3: Effect of irradiation at 638nm on Varroa mites and bees

Given the absorbance spectra in Example 1, similar results are expected to be obtained for any wavelength in the region of about 500 to about 550, preferably about 500 to about 530nm as described and contemplated herein.

THE NUMBERED PARAGRAPHS THAT FOLLOW RELATE TO THE DISCLOSURE HEREIN THAT PROVIDES:

1. A device for detecting and disabling or killing one or more parasites on a bee, the device comprising a first source of illumination that impinges upon a bee or collection of bees that potentially carry parasites, the first source of illumination being used to generate one or more images or one or more series of images using a digital image detection system, and the one or more images or one or more series of images being sent to a rapid image analysis system that analyses the one or more images or one or more series of images for information about the presence and/or location of one or more bees, and the presence and/or location of one or more parasites on the one or more bees, and the rapid image analysis system communicating that information to a triggering and targeting system that directs the emission of light from a second light source, and the emission of light from the second source of illumination being targeted substantially at parasite-carrying bees, and illuminating wholly the parasite-carrying bees or substantially the one or more parasites on the one or more bees, and wherein the physical characteristics of the second source of light have been tailored to harm or kill the one or more parasites while leaving the one or more bees substantially or completely unharmed. The device of paragraph 1, wherein the first source of illumination is selected from the group consisting of ambient, monochromatic and multiwavelength light. The device of paragraph 1 or paragraph 2, wherein the first source of illumination is or comprises an artificial light source. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, wherein the first source of illumination is or comprises one or more lasers. The device of any of paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein the triggering and targeting system activates the second source of illumination to direct it to one or more target locations. The device of any of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein the targeting of the illumination by the second source of illumination is achieved through activating one or more of a selected subset of static outputs from the second source of illumination. The device of any of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein the targeting of the illumination by the second source of illumination is achieved through active beam steering of one or more of a selected subset of outputs from the second source of illumination. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 7, wherein the second source of illumination is selected from the group consisting of monochromatic and multiwavelength light. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, wherein the second source of illumination forms a single beam of light. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 8, wherein the second source of illumination forms a set of <20 beams of light. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 10, wherein the second source of illumination consists of one or more lasers. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 11, wherein the second source of illumination consists of a filtered multiwavelength (broadband) source. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 11, wherein the second source of illumination emits in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, substantially 400 - 700 nm. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 11, wherein the second source of illumination emits in the 400 - 450 nm region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 11, wherein the second source of illumination emits in the 450 - 600 nm region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 11, wherein the second source of illumination emits in both the 400 - 450 and 450 - 600 nm regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 16, wherein the physical characteristic of the second source of illumination that preferentially harms or kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is the one or more wavelengths of the second source of illumination. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 16, wherein the physical characteristic of the second source of illumination that preferentially harms or kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is the pulse duration of the second source. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 16, wherein the physical characteristic of the second source of illumination that preferentially harms or kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is the pulse power of the second source. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 16, wherein the physical characteristic of the second source of illumination that preferentially harms or kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is the average power of the second source. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 16, wherein the physical characteristic of the second source of illumination that preferentially harms or kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is the spatial distribution of beam intensity of the second source. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 16, wherein the physical characteristics of the second source of light that preferentially harms of kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is a combination of one or more of the wavelength, pulse duration, pulse power, average power and the spatial distribution of beam intensity of the second source. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 16, wherein the physical characteristics of the second source of illumination have been selected so that the second source of illumination is relatively strongly absorbed by the parasite and substantially less or not absorbed by the bee. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 16, wherein the physical characteristics of the second source of illumination have been selected to preferentially create a relatively strong aversion behavioural effect in the parasite and to create a substantially less or no aversion behavioural effect in the bee. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 16, wherein the physical characteristics of the second source of illumination have been selected to preferentially communicate an optical force to the parasite and to communicate a substantially less or no optical force to the bee. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 25, wherein the second source of illumination emits light at one or more wavelengths of about 440 nm or 523 nm. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 26, wherein the second source of illumination is not intrinsically pulsed so that it emits throughout a time window determined by the triggering and targeting system. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 26, wherein the second source of illumination emits pulses that are between 1 picosecond and 50 nanoseconds long so that it emits bursts of pulses throughout a time window determined by the triggering and targeting system. The device of paragraphs 1 to 28, wherein the intensity of the second source of illumination varies during a time window of illumination of the target area. The device of any one of paragraphs 1 to 29, wherein the second source of illumination delivers a spatial distribution of beam intensity selected from the group of Gaussian, Bessel and Airy.

31. A method of detecting and disabling one or more parasites on a bee, the method comprising illuminating a bee or collection of bees that potentially carry parasites using a first source of illumination, generating one or more images or one or more series of images using a digital image detection system, and sending the images to a rapid image analysis system, analysing the one or more images or one or more series of images using the rapid image analysis system for information about the presence and/or location of one or more bees, and the presence and/or location of one or more parasites on the one or more bees, and the image analysis system communicating the information to a triggering and targeting system that directs the emission of light from a second source of illumination, and the emission of light from the second source of illumination being targeted substantially at parasite-carrying bees, and illuminating wholly the parasitecarrying bees or substantially the one or more parasites on the one or more bees, and wherein the physical characteristics of the second source of illumination have been tailored to harm or kill the one or more parasites while leaving the one or more bees substantially or completely unharmed. The method of paragraph 31, wherein the first source of illumination is selected from the group consisting of ambient, monochromatic and multiwavelength light. The method of paragraph 31 or paragraph 32, wherein the first source of illumination is or comprises an artificial light source. The method of any one of paragraphs 31 to 33, wherein the first source of illumination is or comprises one or more lasers. The method of any one of paragraphs 31 to 34, wherein the second source of illumination emits light at a wavelength in the range 400 and 550 nm. The method of any one of paragraphs 31 to 34, wherein the second source of illumination emits light at a wavelength of about 447 nm or 520 nm. paragraphs 1 to 30, or the method of any one of paragraphs or more parasites is or comprises Varroa destructor.

Claims

INDICATIVE CLAIMS

1. A device for detecting and disabling or killing one or more parasites on a bee, the device comprising a first source of illumination that impinges upon a bee or collection of bees that potentially carry parasites, the first source of illumination being used to generate one or more images or one or more series of images using a digital image detection system, and the one or more images or one or more series of images being sent to a rapid image analysis system that analyses the one or more images or one or more series of images for information about the presence and/or location of one or more bees, and the presence and/or location of one or more parasites on the one or more bees, and the rapid image analysis system communicating that information to a triggering and targeting system that directs the emission of light from a second light source, and the emission of light from the second source of illumination being targeted substantially at parasite-carrying bees, and illuminating wholly the parasite-carrying bees or substantially the one or more parasites on the one or more bees, and wherein the physical characteristics of the second source of light have been tailored to harm or kill the one or more parasites while leaving the one or more bees substantially or completely unharmed.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the targeting of the illumination by the second source of illumination is achieved through active beam steering of one or more of a selected subset of outputs from the second source of illumination.

3. The device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second source of illumination is selected from the group consisting of monochromatic and multiwavelength light.

4. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second source of illumination forms a single beam of light.

5. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second source of illumination forms a set of <20 beams of light.

6. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second source of illumination consists of one or more lasers.

7. The device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second source of illumination a) consists of a filtered multiwavelength (broadband) source, or b) emits in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, substantially 400 - 700 nm.

8. The device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second source of illumination a) emits in the 400 - 450 nm region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and/or b) emits in the 450 - 600 nm region of the electromagnetic spectrum.

9. The device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the physical characteristic of the second source of illumination that preferentially harms or kills the one or more parasites while leaving the bees substantially or completely unharmed is a) the one or more wavelengths of the second source of illumination, b) the pulse duration of the second source, c) the pulse power of the second source, d) the average power of the second source, and/or e) the spatial distribution of beam intensity of the second source.

10. The device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the physical characteristics of the second source of illumination have been selected a) so that the second source of illumination is relatively strongly absorbed by the parasite and substantially less or not absorbed by the bee, b) to preferentially create a relatively strong aversion behavioural effect in the parasite and to create a substantially less or no aversion behavioural effect in the bee, or c) to preferentially communicate an optical force to the parasite and to communicate a substantially less or no optical force to the bee.

11. The device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second source of illumination is not intrinsically pulsed so that it emits throughout a time window determined by the triggering and targeting system, preferably wherein the second source of illumination emits pulses that are between 1 picosecond and 50 nanoseconds long so that it emits bursts of pulses throughout a time window determined by the triggering and targeting system.

12. The device of claims 1 to 11, wherein the intensity of the second source of illumination varies during a time window of illumination of the target area.

13. The device of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the second source of illumination delivers a spatial distribution of beam intensity selected from the group of Gaussian, Bessel and Airy.

14. A method of detecting and disabling one or more parasites on a bee, the method comprising illuminating a bee or collection of bees that potentially carry parasites using a first source of illumination, generating one or more images or one or more series of images using a digital image detection system, and sending the images to a rapid image analysis system, analysing the one or more images or one or more series of images using the rapid image analysis system for information about the presence and/or location of one or more bees, and the presence and/or location of one or more parasites on the one or more bees, and the image analysis system communicating the information to a triggering and targeting system that directs the emission of light from a second source of illumination, and the emission of light from the second source of illumination being targeted substantially at parasite-carrying bees, and illuminating wholly the parasitecarrying bees or substantially the one or more parasites on the one or more bees, and wherein the physical characteristics of the second source of illumination have been tailored to harm or kill the one or more parasites while leaving the one or more bees substantially or completely unharmed.

15. The method of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first source of illumination is selected from the group consisting of ambient, monochromatic and multiwavelength light.

16. The method of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the first source of illumination is or comprises an artificial light source.

17. The method of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the first source of illumination is or comprises one or more lasers.

18. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the second source of illumination emits light at a wavelength in the range 400 and 550 nm.

19. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the second source of illumination emits light at one or more wavelengths of about 447 nm or 520 nm.

20. The device of any one of claims 1 to 13, or the method of any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the one or more parasites is or comprises Varroa destructor.