Transect Sampling to Enhance Efficiency of Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Monitoring
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Abstract
Crop monitoring for adult corn rootworms, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte and D. barberi Smith and Lawrence, remains the best means to assess fields at risk from this pest if replanted to corn, Zea mays (L.). Improvements in sampling methodology including the development of a sequential sampling plan have reduced the minimum sampling time required to make a management decision to 20 minutes or less per field per visit to make a management decision. Many growers and scouts still find this time commitment a constraint to repeated scouting. A common currently used sampling method involves systematically covering most of the field following a “W” pattern. The feasibility of replacing the current sampling pattern with a simpler and less time-consuming transect (straight line) pattern was assessed.