Association of Stink Bug Injury and Remotely Sensed Data in Cotton

Stink bugs are one of the most damaging insect pests of Southeastern cotton.  Current management practices are limited to broad-spectrum foliar insecticide applications across entire fields.  A North Carolina cotton field was monitored during the peak time of susceptibility to stink bugs (third to fifth week of bloom).  Bolls were collected and assessed for stink bug injury every acre across 66 acres in 2011 and 72 acres in 2012.  A multispectral satellite image was acquired during the fourth week of bloom in 2011 and third week of bloom in 2012.  The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was calculated and compared to incidence of stink bug injury using Pearson’s correlation and Spatial Analysis by Distance Indices.  In 2011, there was a positive correlation between NDVI values and stink bug-injured bolls.  In 2012, there was a negative correlation between NDVI values and stink bug-injured bolls.  Associations between areas of stink bug-injured bolls and NDVI values were stronger in 2011 than 2012.  More work needs to be done to link the cotton growth environment to remote sensing imagery and stink bug injury.