The ongoing biodiversity crisis in Germany is particularly evident in the decline of insect populations, which is a consequence of intensive agriculture, among other factors. In addition to the use of pesticides and a lack of structural diversity in the landscape, grassland mowing is a key factor in the decline of spiders and insects.

As part of the collaborative project “INSOEL – Insect chasing devices for organic farming”, researchers from the universities of Tübingen and Hohenheim are working together to preserve the diversity of spiders and insects in organically managed grasslands.

For this reason, insect chasing devices are being developed. These devices are designed to deter spiders and insects from the mower, to protect them. Based on preliminary studies, a cost-effective metal bracket flushing bar and a blowing device with advanced technology are being optimized and tested for effectiveness, energy efficiency, and practical suitability for use with disc mowers. The aim is to develop chasing devices that can be attached to modern, high-performance disc mowers, enabling efficient, biodiversity-friendly mowing.

Close collaboration with organic farming associations and agricultural practitioners is intended to achieve widespread acceptance of the technology and successfully integrate it into organic farming practices. The ultimate goal is to establish an economically viable, biodiversity-friendly technical solution for grassland mowing.