AMAZONE has developed the InsectGuard insect scaring device to promote sustainable and insect-friendly green space maintenance. The device, which can be easily mounted on the out-front mowing deck of the Profihopper self-propelled mower/collector, works mechanically scaring insects away from the danger area ahead of the actual mowing process.

The effectiveness of the innovation was analysed as part of a master's thesis by Elias Windmüller at the Institute of Agricultural Engineering of the University of Hohenheim. The results confirm the effectiveness of the technology: InsectGuard enabled significantly more insects to be left unharmed during mowing.

A catch frame was installed above the mowing deck for the evaluation tests. The tests showed that the use of the insect scaring device during mowing resulted in a significantly higher number of insects being caught in the catch frame. Depending on the test area, up to 46 % more insects escape being mowed. The insects were caught in the area above the InsectGuard, which proves the positive effect for flying insects.

The results of the master's thesis confirm that AMAZONE has developed a practicable and effective solution for insect protection in the groundcare sector which contributes to biodiversity conservation.