Role of <scp>UAVs</scp> in precision pesticide spraying and environmental safety by combating pesticide resistance and safety of natural enemies

The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has emerged as a promising tool to maximize agricultural productivity and is useful in precision and sustainable insect pest control, with less impact on the environment and human health. In this review, we revealed how UAVs are valuable in dealing with pesticide resistance issues, reducing the ecological footprint of practices during pest management, and how they are safer for natural enemies. These UAVs have the ability to considerably reduce the overall dosage of insecticides with targeted delivery, which minimizes the risk of resistance development in insect pests against tested pesticides. Moreover, the addition of advanced technologies, such as computer vision systems, allows UAVs to optimize pesticide usage based on real-time data. The delivery of biological control agents by UAVs further supports ecological sustainability. However, a careful consideration is needed on the impact of UAV-applied chemicals on non-target organisms and ecosystems. To minimize drift, strategies such as optimized flight parameters, use of suitable nozzles, and integration of adjuvants should be adopted, which are important to ensure environmental safety. Future research on UAV technology, application methods, pesticide formulation, and natural enemy delivery is crucial to maximize the benefits of this innovative technique and ensure the safety of agroecosystems. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.