Binomial Sequential Classification Sampling Plans for European Red Mite (Acari: Tetranychidae) with Special Reference to Performance Criteria

Abstract

Binomial sequential sampling procedures were developed for classifying the density of European red mites, Panonychus ulmi (Koch), with respect to four critical densities. Frequencies of erroneous classifications made using these sampling procedures and average sample sizes required to make classifications were compared with sequential sampling procedures that used complete counts of mites on leaves. The binomial procedures required approximately the same average sample size and had approximately the same frequency of erroneous classification. The sample size efficiency of the binomial sequential classification sampling plan was compared and found superior to the sample size efficiency of an estimation procedure based on binomial sampling. Field testing of one of the binomial sequential Classification sampling plans showed that it rapidly and correctly classified mite densities.