The aim of this work is to introduce new applications for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Agriculture and especially in crop protection. All tests have been carried out in the island of Crete in Greece. Specific applications are: a) detection of symptoms (canopy discoloration) of pest or disease infestation on olive trees, b) mapping of Palm trees and identification of visible signs of infestation by the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus in large palm plantations, c) co-operation of UAV with electronic traps that automatically count insects and send counts to a server which, in turn summons and direct drones to spray in designated areas. Equipment and software, step by step methodology and practical applications of each of the three cases are described. We seek new application of drones in view to expand their possible uses that will allow them to penetrate the business of small to medium sized regional stakeholders. This work puts its emphasis on the practical details of the implementations, serving as a useful reference to relevant field-work.

The olive moth, Prays oleae (Bernard, 1788) (Lepidoptera: Praydidae) is categorised among the most devastating insect pests of olives, whose anthophagous and carpophagous generations can cause yield loss up to 581 and 846 kg of fruit per ha, respectively. In this study, results of the captured parasitoids in olive tree (Olea europaea Linnaeus, 1753) orchards, or infested olive plant material in Crete, Greece, is presented. Five of the six identified species captured in trap devices are related to P. oleae, i.e., Chelonus elaeaphilus Silvestri, 1908, Chelonus pellucens (Nees, 1816), Apanteles xanthostigma (Haliday, 1834), Diadegma armillatum (Gravenhorst, 1829), and Exochus lentipes Gravenhorst, 1829. The species Eupelmus urozonus Dalman, 1820 and Pnigalio mediterraneus Ferrière & Delucchi, 1957 were reared from infested P. oleae leaves. Chelonus pellucens is reported for the first time from Greece. According to the international literature, 59 hymenopterous and dipterous parasitoid species are associated with P. oleae in Europe.

In March 2012 Paysandisia archon, Lepidoptera: Castniidae, a palm tree pest, was found for the first time in the endemic palm species of Crete Phoenix theophrasti. The infestation was detected in the premises of the Technological Educational Institute in Heraklion, Crete. Information on its biology, morphology and distribution is given.

The use of electric current is being studied as a method to control Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The infested palm trees were pruned according to the severity of the infestation (heavy infestation requires more intense pruning). Then, electrolytes were injected into the palm trees to elevate conductivity. Electric current of specific voltage and amperage was coursed through the palm trees, using specifically designed electrodes; Electric current was applied for 20 min to 1 hour depending on the severity of the infestation and the size of the palm tree. A small number of palm trees were shocked, some of which were monitored for side effects due to the shock while others were cut down to monitor pest mortality rates. Larvae were collected and placed in entomological cages. A large percentage of larvae were killed after the shock, while the others showed difficulties in their movement. Six days later 84.78 % of larvae and 96.48 % of pupae were killed but practically all of the adults survived. Electric current has never been used in this way to control insects before.