Insect Sampling Methods and Limitations

Flashcards created from lecture notes about light traps, capture-mark-recapture, turbidity, questionnaires/interviews, quadrants, pitfall traps, sweep nets, beating trays, and kick sampling.

__ are used to attract certain insects with UV light, making nocturnal insect sampling easier and usable in marine environments.

Light traps

A limitation of light traps is that they may not be effective during a __.

bright moon

__ involves capturing, marking, and releasing insects back into the population, it is cost effective and less invasive.

Capture-mark-recapture

__ measures cloudiness of water to determine microbial contamination it is cost effective, but biased, requires skill and time & it is effected by changes in water condition.

Turbidity

Turbidity can affect aquatic life because it __ and prevents disease.

Can effect aquatic life

__ can be objective or subjective, they reach a larger audience and are cost-effective, but are time-consuming and can have researcher bias in how questions are asked.

Questionnaires/Interviews

__ are used for slow-moving species and are easy and inexpensive, but can be biased and provide unreliable data.

Quadrants

__ are for insects active on the ground, can be left for long periods to gain more samples, and have an easy and inexpensive setup.

Pitfall traps

A key limitation of pitfall traps for insect collection is that it requires __ for identification.

training/skill

__ use nets on a pole to catch insects in long grass; they are inexpensive and don't require skill or time.

Sweep nets

A limitation of using sweep nets for insect collection is that they may __ and heavy vegetation doesn't work.

domage pants

__ involve a cloth held by a frame to catch insects beaten off a tree; they are easy to use and non-damaging to insects.

Beating trays

When using beating trays a limitation might be that flying insects may __ and the time of day can effect outcome.

fly off

__ is used to sample invertebrates in a river or stream, it is quick to carry out and is cost-effective.

Kick sampling

A limitation of kick sampling is that species on __ will be missed and small species may fall out of the net.

rocks