Integrating pheromone trap monitoring with remote sensing indices for enhanced surveillance of yellow stem borer in rice

Abstract The yellow stem borer (YSB), Scirpophaga incertulas (Walker), is a major rice pest capable of causing severe yield losses. Timely monitoring of its population dynamics is critical for sustainable management. This study assessed YSB spatiotemporal patterns by integrating pheromone trap catches with satellite‐derived indicators in the coastal rice ecosystem of Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, during the 2021 and 2022 kharif seasons. Thirty‐two 1 km 2 grids were established, each with pheromone traps to monitor male moths. Land surface temperature (LST) and normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) were extracted from Landsat 8 imagery, and statistical and geostatistical analyses were performed to evaluate pest–environment interactions. YSB incidence peaked in August–September, showing negative correlations with LST ( r = −0.431, p < .001) and NDVI ( r = −0.147, p = .019). A 55% reduction in trap catches between years coincided with a 2.04°C increase in mean LST. Spatial analysis revealed aggregated YSB distribution with moderate‐to‐strong dependence at ~240 m, indicating localised hotspots of infestation. The results suggest that YSB outbreaks are favoured under cooler conditions (LST < 25°C) and sparse crop canopy (NDVI < 0.30), particularly during tillering to panicle initiation. The integration of remote sensing with pheromone trap monitoring enhances early‐warning capability and supports precision integrated pest management in coastal rice ecosystems.