A Sampling Technique for Estimating Populations of Small Arthropods in Soil and Vegetation

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Abstract
Apparatus and techniques were devised for estimating populations of arthropods in samples of soil and vegetation. The specimens are extracted from the media by agitating in water, and aliquots are withdrawn during agitation, For the recovery of soil-inhabiting species, the aliquots are allowed to settle and the clear liquid is run through a series of sieves attached to a vacuum pump. The specimens are concentrated in nylon sieves and counts are made on plastic counting disks. For insects on vegetation, aliquots taken in the same manner are run through Büchner funnels equipped with nylon screens, and the counts are made directly on the screens. Counts made with these techniques indicated recoveries having a mean standard error of about 10%. It is believed that this method may be adapted to almost any small arthropod where the specimens must be extracted from media such as soil and vegetation, and where the numbers are so great that aliquots must be taken to expedite counting.

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