e21904ee_Cotton_Insect_Scouting_Methods__Scouting_Method
[Insect Species] Plant Bugs (post-squaring) [Scouting Method] 
Adult plant bugs are best quantified by using a 15 inch diameter sweep net. Take several 25 sweep samples per field and record results as average number of plant bugs per 100 sweeps. Because adult plant bugs are very mobile and easily flushed, it is important to space sweeps widely apart and more quickly down the row while sweeping. Plant bug nymphs must be sampled by spreading a 3 ft ground cloth between two adjacent rows, vigorously beating plants over the cloth, and counting the number of nymphs that are dislodged onto the cloth. Take several such samples per field and record counts as average number of plant bugs per 6 feet of row. During the period between square initiation and early bloom, it is also important to monitor percent square retention. Conduct counts by examining 100 potential first and/or second position square sites and counting the number of missing squares, as indicated by the presence of an abscission scar. On plants with more than 5 fruiting branches such counts should be limited to potential fruiting positions on the 5 uppermost fruiting branches.
Cotton Insect Scouting Methods
Scouting Method