COMPARISON OF 3 METHODS FOR SAMPLING ARTHROPOD PESTS AND THEIR NATURAL ENEMIES IN PEANUT FIELDS

We compared the use of beat sheets, pitfall traps, and sweep nets for sampling common arthropods in peanut fields by taking weekly samples i n the 1987 to 1989 growing seasons. We used sigma/xBAR ratios and numb er of samples needed as the criteria for comparing sampling techniques . Pitfall trap samples had the largest means for soil surface-dwelling arthropods such as Labidura riparia (Pallas) (Dermaptera: Labiduridae ), Oxyopes salticus Hentz (Arachnida: Araneae: Oxyopidae), ground beet les, rove beetles, and wolf spiders. Beat sheet samples had the smalle st sigma/xBAR ratios for Solenopsis invicta (Buren) (Hymenoptera: Form icidae) and Peucetia viridans Hentz (Arachnida: Araneae: Oxyopidae). S amples from sweep nets had the smallest sigma2/xBAR ratios for Geocori s spp. (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae). All three techniques had similar sigma2 /xBAR ratios for Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and the Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Swe ep net samples had the smallest sigma2/xBAR ratios for Spissistilus fe stinus (Say) (Homoptera: Membracidae). None of the techniques adequate ly sampled all common pest and beneficial arthropods in peanuts.