Journal of Applied Entomology (2018) 142, 820-827

Rob Moerkens, Wendy Vanlommel, Eva Reybroeck, Lieve Wittemans, Patrick De Clercq, Thomas Van Leeuwen and Raf De Vis (2018)
Binomial sampling plan for tomato russet mite (Aculops lycopersici (Tryon) (Acari: Eriophyidae) in protected tomato crops
Journal of Applied Entomology 142 (9), 820-827
Abstract: The tomato russet mite (TRM), Aculops lycopersici, is a worldwide pest of cultivated tomatoes. Currently, no effective biological control agents are available on the market. Therefore, chemical spray applications are required. Fast and reliable detection, monitoring and evaluation of interventions are a challenge, slowing down the development of an appropriate integrated pest management (IPM) strategy. This study describes a binomial sampling plan with the aim to reduce the efforts and costs for an accurate monitoring of A. lycopersici. Sampling was performed by taking pictures of the upper leaf surface with a smartphone through an attached magnification lens. A binomial sampling plan was developed based on the linear relationship between ln(mean TRM densities) and ln(-ln(1-P_T), where P_T is the proportion of samples with more than T (tally threshold) mites. The minimum precision threshold of 0.30 was determined for the different models. A resampling for validation of sample plans (RVSP) programme with a fixed sample number was used for validation of the model on an independent data set. The binomial sampling plans were validated at tally thresholds of T = 9 and T = 15 with fixed sample sizes of 15, 20, 25 and 30. Precision levels were satisfying within a range of P_T-values from 0.29 to 0.97 for T = 15 at a fixed sample size of 20. This range was much smaller for T = 9, where the P_T-values range between 0.40 and 0.92 at the same sample size. A binomial sampling model with T = 9 with a fixed sample size of 15, which has the lowest time investment, is feasible for glasshouse tomato growers in practice. However, for the development of pest management programmes, a more intensive and more accurate binomial sampling plan with T = 15 and a sample size of minimum 20 is suggested.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Patrick De Clercq, Thomas Van Leeuwen, Raf M.J. De Vis

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
surveys/sampling/distribution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Aculops lycopersici	Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)