Spatial distribution and fixed precision sequential sampling model of corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in barley fields

In this research, barley aphids in Mahidasht region of Kermanshah province were identified. Spatial distribution type and statistics for corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis (Fitch) were also studied and sequential sampling models were developed. Regular weekly sampling was carried out in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Each sampling date, 100 tillers were randomly visited and aphids were transferred to the laboratory for counting and identification. Taylor’s power law was used to determine spatial distribution type and statistics and sequential sampling models were developed according to Green (1970). Results revealed feeding of five species of aphids on barley including greenbug, Schizaphia graminum, rose-grain aphid, Metopolophium dirhodum, the English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae,corn leaf aphid, R. maidis and bird cherry-oat aphid, R. padi. Corn leaf aphid was more abundant during the season with 93.8%, 94.2% and 93.2% of aphids collected in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Low populations density of the other four species was observed every three years. Spatial distribution type of corn leaf aphid in barley field was determined as cumulative (b = 1.45). Sample size required in models with precision levels of 0.1 and 0.25 at mean aphid densities observed in the barley field (1.02 - 44.32 aphids per tiller) was 70 -524 and 11-84 tillers, respectively. In conclusion, sequential sampling model developed at the precision level of 0.1 was evaluated time consuming due to large sample size required, but the model at pest management precision level (0.25) was recommended for monitoring leaf corn aphid in barley fields.