The capture efficiency of the Dietrick vacuum insect net for aphids on grasses and cereals.

Abstract

The capture efficiency of the Dietrick vacuum insect net (D-vac) for cereal aphids on grasses and cereals was investigated in the field and laboratory. Capture efficiency varied between different aphid species and instars and different plant species, age and density. Numerous other factors probably also affect its capture efficiency. Despite this variability, the D-vac is suitable for determining population structure of aphids and for detecting alatae. It may also remain the only method to obtain some quantitative measurements of populations of insects at low densities.