Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #171523

Title: REMOTE SENSING, GPS AND GIS TECHNOLOGIES FOR AGRICULTURAL INSECT PEST DETECTION, IN THE BOOK ENTITLED "ENTOMOLOGICAL RESEARCH: PROGRESS AND PERSPECTIVE"

Author
item YANG, CHENGHAI - TX A&M EXPT.STN. WESLACO
item Everitt, James

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/20/2005
Publication Date: 10/30/2005
Citation: Yang, C., Everitt, J.H. 2005. Remote Sensing, GPS, and GIS technologies for agricultural insect pest detection. In: Liu, T.X., Kang, L., editors. Entomological Research: Progress and Perspective. Beijing, China:Science Press. p. 402-432.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Remote sensing technology has long been used for detecting insect infestations on fruit trees and agricultural crops. With the advances in remote sensing sensors and other spatial information technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Global Positioning Systems (GPS), remote sensing is finding more and more practical applications for insect pest detection and management. This chapter begins with an overview of remote sensing principles and systems that can be used for entomological studies. The major types of remote sensing systems described include ground-based spectroradiometers, aerial photographic cameras, airborne digital multispectral and hyperspectral imaging systems, and satellite multispectral imaging systems. GPS, GIS, and imaging processing and analysis techniques have become indispensable components of any practical remote sensing applications. The second and third sections of the chapter briefly describe the principles of GPS and GIS as well as their applications in agriculture. The fourth section provides an introduction to image processing and analysis techniques. The remainder of the chapter is devoted to discussion on how remote sensing and other spatial information techniques have been used in entomological applications. Research studies on the use of remote sensing for detecting insect pests on fruit trees and agricultural crops since the 1960s are reviewed. Insect pests that produce different types of effects and damage are discussed, including sooty mold producers, insects that cause foliage color changes, foliage defoliation and crown distortion, as well as ants and other insects. Three application examples with remote sensing imagery are presented to illustrate the use of remote sensing, GPS, and GIS technolgies for detecting and mapping insect pest infestations, including citrus blackfly infestation in citrus orchards and silverleaf whitefly infestations in cotton fields and harvester ants on pastureland.