Journal article
Optimisation of Drop-Sheet Sampling in Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) Orchards: An Optimised Method for Monitoring Insect Ecology
Austral entomology, Vol.65(3), pp.1-17
08/2026
Metrics
1 Record Views
Abstract
Understanding orchard arthropod populations is a critical element of making strategic decisions regarding pest management. Therefore, it is paramount for farmers and crop consultants to use appropriate survey methods that provide a representative sample of orchard insect ecology. Currently, macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) industry arthropod sampling strategies are limited by the number of established methods available for use. Drop-sheet sampling has recently been introduced to the industry but requires optimisation for industry implementation. This study investigated how sheet size (1, 4, 9, 16 and 25 m2) affected arthropod diversity representation, sample time efficiency and required sampling effort. The method was then verified through a snapshot regional survey of the Gympie macadamia production region, conducted prior to flowering to establish baseline arthropod assemblages before seasonal increases in insect activity. It was found that as sheet size increased, so did the relative sample representation as well as the time taken to sample. Sheet sizes of 25 m2 were the most effective sheet size overall for use in drop-sheet sampling and yielded the greatest species richness, community representation and sample completeness. Additionally, we found that minimum sample effort of five replicates was required for 25 m2 sheet sizes. The regional field survey further improved on sample effort optimisation, where seven replicates were determined to be capable of providing representative samples from orchard blocks across independent sites. Using drop-sheeting in the pre-flowering survey of the Gympie macadamia production region recovered a wide range of arthropod orders, assemblages and rare species. Whereas validation on a wider spatial and temporal range is required, drop-sheeting is proving to be a useful tool for research and surveys on macadamia orchard insect ecology.
Details
- Title
- Optimisation of Drop-Sheet Sampling in Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) Orchards: An Optimised Method for Monitoring Insect Ecology
- Creators
- Reid N. Emery - Southern Cross UniversityJay M. Anderson - Southern Cross UniversityNigel R. Andrew - Southern Cross University
- Publication Details
- Austral entomology, Vol.65(3), pp.1-17
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 17
- Grant note
- Open access publishing facilitated by Southern Cross University, as part of the Wiley - Southern Cross University agreement via the Council of Australasian University Librarians.
- Identifiers
- 991013389851502368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article