ABSTRACT

Several commercial cotton fields from several locations in Texas were sampled from 2000 through 2002 in order to develop an efficient and reliable sampling plan. Results indicate that the beat bucket sampling plan was less efficient, but required fewer samples and less sampling time than the visual sample method when estimating CFH population densities. The beat bucket in this study was more efficient and cost reliable relative to the visual and drop cloth sample methods when estimating WTPB population densities. Regardless of pest species and density the beat bucket required fewer samples and less sampling time to make an estimate or management decision relative to the visual and drop cloth sample methods.