title: The sequential sampling of Psorophora columbiae larvae in rice fields.
abstract: Sequential sampling plans were developed for larval populations of Psorophora columbiae developing in rice fields during the growth of rice for a 2nd crop in southwestern Louisiana. Two types of plans were developed: 1) sequential counting plans to estimate the true mean of a population with a prespecified coefficient of variation and 2) sequential decision plans to assist in deciding whether the mean larval count/dip lies outside preselected upper or lower levels. The procedure by which the plans were developed consisted of: 1) conventional larval sampling by dipping along rice field levees that divided each field into pans; 2) counting the number of 2nd through 4th instar larvae observed in two dips taken at each sampling location; and 3) determination of the appropriate statistical parameters from which probability curves, number of samples required, and cumulative larval totals for specific sampling plans could be derived. Both sequential sampling plans are based upon distributions attendant to naturally occurring populations.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Insects Affecting Man and Animals Research Laboratory, Gainesville, FL 32604.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Vidrine
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D009033:Culicidae; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D007814:Larva; D008145:Louisiana; D012275:Oryza; D011156:Population Density; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013997:Time Factors