Intraplant Distribution of Three Insect Predators on Cotton, and Seasonal Effects of Their Distribution on Vacuum Sampler Efficiency 1

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Abstract
During early season, Geocoris punctipes (Say), Hippodamia convergens Guérin-Méneville, and Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer were found primarily on cotton plant terminals. During mid and late season, populations were found to be 7 to 8 nodes below plant terminals. After fruiting structures were formed, most H. convergens and a large percentage of G. punctipes were found between fruit and bracts. C. maculata also tended to concentrate on fruit, but to a lesser extent than the other species. Population estimates obtained with a vacuum sampler were only slightly lower than estimates based on whole-plant visual searches when predators were primarily on plant terminals. Estimates based on vacuum samples were much lower, however, when insect populations were found primarily between bracts and fruits.