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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #281283
Title: Comparison of methods for sampling plant bugs on cotton in South Texas (2010)

Author
item BREWER, MICHAEL - Texas Agrilife Extension
item ANDERSON, DARWIN - Texas Agrilife Extension
item Armstrong, John
item BILLANUEVA, RUAL - Texas Agrilife Extension
item BILES, STEPHEN - Texas Agrilife Extension

Submitted to: Agricultural Experiment Station Publication
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2012
Publication Date: 2/1/2012
Citation: Brewer, M., Anderson, D., Armstrong, J.S., Billanueva, R.T., Biles, S. 2012. Comparison of methods for sampling plant bugs on cotton in South Texas (2010). Agricultural Experiment Station Publication. Pg. 76.

Interpretive Summary: Stink bugs and plant bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae and Miridae) that feed on cotton bolls have reached elevated past status in cotton, Gossypium hirslltllm L. (Malvaceae), during the last 10 to 15 years, including along the GulfCoast of south Texas. Insecticide sprays, which traditionally controlled these sucking bugs, have been reduced following the advent and success of transgenic Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis)-cotton for heliothine control and boll weevil eradication (Edge et al. 200 I, Allen 2008).

Technical Abstract: A total of 26 cotton fields were sampled by experienced and inexperienced samplers at 3 growth stages using 5 methods to compare the most efficient and accurate method for sampling plant bugs in cotton. Each of the 5 methods had its own distinct advantages and disadvantages as a sampling method (tool). Overall the beat bucket looks to be the most promising method to incorporate into sampling plant bugs in cotton in the future.