Remote scouting of Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) defoliation

Recent technological advances in sensors and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) have accelerated the interest in developing remote sensing tools for insect pest management. One obvious area where remotely sensed data can be applied to IPM is assessing defoliation. Varying populations of Colorado potato beetle (CPB) were established in trial plots by using different chemical management strategies. A series of visible and near infrared images were obtained in the growing seasons of 2014/15. Canopy segmentation was calculated and compared and a preliminary analysis of ground vs aerial scouting efficiencies was calculated.  Preliminary results indicate this scouting methodology may have significant application in CPB management.