An Evaluation of Airborne Videography for Detecting and MonitorIng Forest Insect and Disease

The application of airborne videography on detecting and monitoring insect and disease is a remote sensing tool,combines a high-quality Super-VHS video camera systemwith Global Positioning System (GPS)navigation,image processing and geographic information systems.Videography offers many advantages than the traditional methods of pest detection and monitoring.Video data can quickly be converted to a digital form for analysis and integration into an IPM environment.The further studies on detection and monitoring of the important Chinese pests,the pine caterpillar Dendrolimus punctatus and the pine nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus,are underway in China, using the video equipment provided by USDA Forest Service.The value of airborne video will continuously be demonstrated in practice in China combining with the data from TM image.