Purchasing Sweep Nets for Insect Monitoring

The following information will help you choose an appropriate sweep net for monitoring insects and gives a list of some suppliers.

Features of the Net

Rim Diameter

Nets are sold with different diameters of rims. The rim diameter will affect how many insects are collected in a sweep. So for determining economic thresholds based on the number of insects per sweep a standardized size of net has to be used. For most of our insect pests that are monitored with a sweep net, including lygus bugs in canola, a sweep net of 38 cm (15 inches) diameter is used.

Net Bag

Net bags are commonly made of either a polyester or muslin material, or a combination of these materials. Polyester netting is very porous, allowing you to see into the net (although usually not good enough to count insects), and is also good at overcoming air resistance, which makes sweeping easier. They don’t last as long as the muslin netting when sweeping through heavy crops, however, and will rip easily when sweeping through heavy crops. These net bags are made more for sweeping through the air than for sweeping through fields. The muslin nets are stronger and will last longer, and are designed for field use. Insects can not be seen through this type of net. However, a muslin net with a porous, polyester tip is sometimes used. The polyester tip will eventually wear, but this porous material at the tip allows some visibility into the net. The porous tip to the net also enables insects to be sprayed through the net with an aerosol insecticide, after concentrating them in the porous part of the net, for easy counting if necessary. Another net material that is sometimes used is sailcloth, which are a heavy-duty canvas, and is also good for sweeping in brushy plants.

Where to Purchase Insect Nets

Canada

Manitoba Forage Seed Association
Heather McBey
Box 2000
Arborg, Manitoba R0C 0A0
Phone: 204-376-3309
Fax: 204-376-5095

Prometal Industries Ltd.
455 Henderson Drive
Regina, Saskatchewan S4N 5W8
Phone: 306-525-6710
Fax: 306-525-5434

United States

Gempler’s
PO Box 270
211 Blue Mounds Road
Mt. Horeb, WI 53572
Phone: 1-800-382-8473 (orders)
Phone: 1-800-332-6744 (customer service)
Fax: 1-800-551-1128
Web: www.gemplers.com

Great Lakes IPM, INC
10220 Church Road
Vestaburg, MI 48891-9746
Phone: 989-268-5693 / 989-268-5911
Fax: 989-268-5311

BioQuip Products
17803 LaSalle Avenue
Gardena, California 90248-3602
Phone: 310-324-0620
Fax: 310-324-7931
Web: www.bioquip.com

For more information, contact John Gavloski at Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (phone: 204-745-5668) or contact your GO representative.