Use of UAVs for an efficient capsule distribution and smart path planning for biological pest control

•We use UAV to automate efficient biological pest control.•A planned distribution of parasitoids is advantageous over zigzag distribution.•Our algorithm obtained a better protection of the edge region of a plantation.•Our algorithm required fewer capsules to be released. Exotic pests can cause US$1.4 trillion financial damage per year and threaten food security. Biological control is a natural phenomenon that regulates the number of plants and animals by means of natural enemies. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as a support platform for biological control is promising, since it can reduce operating costs and transposition of natural barriers, such as rivers and venomous animals. However, capsules with natural enemies are spread by a remotely piloted UAV and autonomous UAVs in a zigzag pattern, which incur low coverage efficiency and cannot cover areas of any shape. This article proposes an algorithm that calculates capsule deposition sites of areas of any shape. In the most complex situation, the algorithm showed 1.54% more of effectively covered area, 9.54% higher coverage efficiency, and 104.88% lower inefficiency, guaranteed 7.16% protection of the edge region, and required 13.56% of released capsules. Therefore, UAVs can be used for an efficient distribution of capsules for biological control in areas of any shape. Their main impacts are potential cost savings by the release of fewer capsules and better coverage of the border of the crop field.