• D. L. Sudbrink Jr. - Post-Doctoral Assistant, MAFES, DREC
• F. A. Harris - Entomologist, MAFES, Delta Research & Extension Center
• J. T. Robbins - Assistant Entomologist, MAFES, DREC
• G. L. Snodgrass - Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS, Southern Insect Management Research Unit
• C. E. Watson - Agronomist/Statistician, MAFES, Research Support Services

• S. J. Thomson - Research Agricultural Engineer, USDA-ARS, Application & Production Technology Research Unit
• J. L. Willers - Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS, Crop Science Research Lab
• M. W. Ebelhar - Agronomist, MAFES, DREC
• Bart Freeland - Research Assistant, Weather/GIS Data Center, MSU-ES, DREC

1. Evaluation of remote sensing capabilities for identifying factors in cotton crop growth and development that can be correlated to populations of arthropods.
2. Evaluation of remote sensing capabilities for tarnished plant bug (TPB) wild host plant location and identification, measurement of wild host emergence and growth sequences, and measurement of area covered by wild host plants.

Insect and mite pest management in the field is almost entirely dependent upon labor-intensive systems for monitoring pest infestation, damage, alternate wild host plants, and crop developmental stage. Visual symptoms of crop damage are often observed too late for making pest management decisions. Efficient methods for early detection of insect and mite infestation and damage and wild host plant detection and measurement are highly desirable.

1. Cotton Pest Damage Study (August, 1999)
   Two 0.5-ha fields were set up at two sites within flyover zones at Stoneville & Tribbett, MS. One field was treated at each location with aphicide and miticide. Spider mite, aphid, and whitefly populations were sampled with a stratified sampling plan at each location (once before and twice after application). Geospatial population data were graphed for each field. Spectro-radiometry data were gathered for mites. Georeferenced videography of fields was recorded from an aerial crop-duster platform.
   Results
   Aphid populations crashed at each location and whitefly populations remained low so that their damage was undetectable. Spider mite numbers increased in hot dry August weather. Mite populations were greater in untreated fields. Spider mites were >3x as numerous in red "hot spots" than on healthy green peripheral plants. Mite "hot spots" were visible in "crop-duster videography". Reflectance of mite "hot spots" was discernable from healthy and stressed plants.


2. TPB Late-Season Hosts Study (August-September, 1999)
   Several sites were sampled within fly-over zones at Stoneville and Tribbett for late-season wild host plants of tarnished plant bug (TPB). Mapped sampling sites with GPS, sampled plant density, % cover, & associated TPB populations.
   Results
   TPB was collected from several broadleaf plants (marestail, goldenrod, giant ragweed, Pennsylvania smartweed, red root pigweed, and hibiscus). TPB was not collected from grasses (Johnsongrass, broomsedge, bermudagrass). Goldenrod, giant ragweed, aster, Pennsylvania smartweed, and Johnsongrass had greatest % cover. Broadleaves were visibly discernable from grasses in preliminary imagery.

1. Identify reflectance of crop conditions and damage associated with arthropods & nematodes.
2. Sample early-season wild hosts of TPB and characterize differences in reflectance of broadleaf hosts and grassy non-hosts.
3. Work with USDA-ARS on development of "crop-duster videography".