Efficacy of Different Sampling Methods of Italian Locust, Calliptamus italicus (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

 Choosing a suitable sampling method is a crucial step in insect population studies. A good sample must be precise, unbiased and consistent to population parameter and meanwhile shouldn't increase costs. Therefore comparison of different sampling methods in terms of relative net cost, and relative net precision (RNP) is the most important task of a scientific sampling. In this study, efficacy of different sampling methods of Italian locust, Calliptamus italicus L. (Orthoptera, Acrididae) was studied in pastures of Khodafarin region in 2010-2011. Quadrats of three sizes (0.64, 1.44 and 4 m2), a standard sweep net and mark-recapture methods were adopted for sampling. Costs were recorded as time consumed for sampling. Estimates by quadrats of different size were similar, while RNP was higher for 4m2 quadrat. Sweeping for a minute provided a rough insignificant estimate of population size per 2.36 m2. Sweep net was determined as a cost-effective, low precision method, which may be used only as a tool for quick decisions in IPM programs. Mark-recapture method is not consistent for population estimations of the Italian locust.