ARS | Publication request: USING AIRBORNE IMAGERY AND GIS TECHNOLOGY TO MAP AND COMPARE CITRUS BLACKFLY INFESTATIONS OCCURRING IN DIFFERENT YEARS

Submitted to: HortTechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: April 14, 2004
Publication Date: July 1, 2004
Citation: Fletcher, R.S., Everitt, J.H., Davis, M.R., Escobar, D.E. 2004. Using airborne imagery and GIS technology to map and compare citrus blackfly infestations occurring in different years. HortTechnology. 14(3):398-401.

Interpretive Summary: In 1993 and 2002, major citrus blackfly outbreaks occurred in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, causing a reduction in citrus tree yields. Remote senisng and geographic information system technologies were integrated to develop a map showing the locations of these outbreaks. In 1993, blackfly infestations occurred in the southern part of Hidalgo and Cameron Counties; in 2002, the outbreaks primarily appeared in the western part of Hidalgo County. For both years, Hidalgo Country was affected more than the other LRGV citrus-producing counties. These results should be beneficial to citrus producers, state and federal agencies, consultants, and other scientists interested in using these technologies for mapping and comparing citrus blackfly outbreaks that occur in separate years.

Technical Abstract: Major citrus blackfly (Aleurocanthus woglumi, Ashby) outbreaks occur periodically in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas, causing a reduction in citrus (Citrus sp.) tree yields. This research reports on the integration of airborne color-infrared (ACIR) imagery and geographic information system (GIS) technology for mapping citrus blackfly outbreaks appearing in this area in separate years. For this study, the 1993 and 2002 citrus blackfly infestations were mapped and compared. Outbreaks did not appear at the same sites for 1993 and 2002. In 1993, infestations occurred in the southern part of Hidalgo and Cameron Counties compared with outbreaks primarily appearing in the western portion of Hidalgo County in 2002. For both years, Hidalgo County was affected more than the other citrus-producing counties in the LRGV. This study demonstrated that airborne remote sensing imagery integrated with GIS technology could be used to develop a map for comparing citrus blackfly infestations appearing in separate years.