ARS | Publication request: AN IMPROVED TRACTOR-MOUNTED PNEUMATIC INSECT COLLECTOR

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 15, 1998
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Farmers, crop consultants, and pest management research scientists must perform in-field sampling of cotton to determine the presence of both pest and beneficial insects in order to make informed pest management decisions and/or evaluate the effects of various pest control practices. Such sampling is usually done with manual sweep nets or by visual examination of findividual plants, which is very tedious and labor intensive. A tractor- mounted pneumatic insect collector was developed to mechanically sample row crop insects. The mechanical specifications for the components and air flow characteristics of the machine are described here. Efficiencies of cotton insect sampling procedures can be effectively improved with the use of the tractor-mounted insect collector.

Technical Abstract: The design of an improved tractor-mounted pneumatic insect collector for field sampling of cotton insects is described. The experimental machine operates on a combination unidirectional blower and vacuum principle, and it is configured for easy single-person operation. Mechanical specifications for components and air flow characteristics are provided.