A large data set was compiled containing arthropod capture records from drop cloth, sweep net and suction sampling. The precision and efficiency of these sampling method are compared. Generally, each sampling method had similar precision, but the drop cloth caught more arthropods per unit of sampling effort. The drop cloth also caught greater numbers of arthropods on a per meter row basis. Compared to the drop cloth, higher proportions of adult insects were caught in sweep net samples for at least some insect taxa (i.e., tarnished plant bug, lady beetles and big eyed bug). Regression analysis indicated a relative weak relationship between numbers of tarnished plant bugs in sweep net versus drop cloth samples.