Use of aerial color infrared photography as a survey technique for Psorophora columbiae oviposition habitats in Texas ricelands.

This study investigated the possibility of using aerial color infrared (CIR) photography as a survey technique for egg populations of Psorophora columbiae within a riceland agroecosystem. To accomplish this, eight photographic missions were flown over study fields during a variety of seasons and at various altitudes. Assessment of resulting photographic data indicates features reported in the literature as being attractive for oviposition by Ps. columbiae (i.e., rice field levees, tire tracks, ditches and low areas) can be readily detected on aerial CIR photographs. Features associated with Ps. columbiae oviposition sites were easily visible on photographs at scales as small as 1:42,000.