We assessed the effectiveness of the beat cloth (1m. sq.), beat pan (2 gal. plastic), beat bucket (5 gal. plastic), and sweep net (15 in. dia.) sampling methods for predaceous arthropods and plant bugs. We also evaluated the effects of time of day on numbers of insects sampled. Large 1/4 acre plots of conventional, Bollgard and Bollgard II were planted 28 April under center pivot irrigation in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates per genotype. Plots were divided in half for a.m. and p.m. sampling. Predaceous arthropods and plant bugs were sampled 5 times throughout the season. The number of samples taken were: beat cloth, 4 per plot; beat pan, 6 per plot; beat bucket, 6 per plot; sweep net, 20 sweeps across and through 2 adjacent rows. After collection, beat pan and beat bucket samples were doubled to better approximate 4 meters of row (ca. 30 plants). Two sets of sweep net samples were taken, a set by the senior author through out the season (sweep net AMH) and a set, using similar techniques, by an individual randomly assigned during each sampling period (sweep net VAR). Morning samples were taken around 10:00 a.m. after the dew dried and afternoon samples were taken around 4:00
p.m. or near as possible to the hottest time of the day. Data were analyzed using a Mixed Model ANOVA where method, time, and date were fixed effects.