A Method for Sampling Lucerne Flea, Sminthurus viridis L. (Collembola: Sminthuridae), in Annual Medic Pastures

Abstract

A simple sticky-trap method suitable for estimating the abundance of Srninthurus viridis on annual medic pastures was developed and compared to a standard coring method. The sticky-trap was developed for sampling in newly established medic pastures when cores cannot be removed intact due to insufficient plant material, particularly o n dry or sandy soils. This method provides a quick estimate of S. viridis population density in the field.

First documented pest outbreak of the herbivorous springtailSminthurus viridis(Collembola) in Europe

“…This method was previously found to be comparable to pitfall trapping of surface‐active arthropods (Norment, ), is already used for other hopping pests of crops [e.g. plant and leaf hoppers (Matsukura et al ., )] and is easier to use than a sticky trap corer (Taverner et al ., ). Sticky traps set in the direct drill with herbicide treatment caught the greatest numbers overall, possibly due to the reduced plant cover diminishing refugia for surface‐dwelling predators, while also stimulating crop growth through reduced competition (Wardle, ).…”