AN INSECT SORTING DEVICE TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH INSECT SUCTION SAMPLERS

A new field-based method for sorting insects collected in suction samp lers is proposed. Test sampling on grassland showed that for most taxo nomic groups it was over 80% efficient. The efficiency of sorting for certain insect groups was influenced by the amount of debris in the sa mple. However, it was possible to determine a relationship between the se two variables which enabled a correction factor to be calculated an d used to compensate for this. It is suggested that popular use of thi s technique would radically increase the amount of research performed in the field.