A lot of studies, reviewers or scientists consider that fine investigations account a high number of data collection site (>15) sufficiently spaced at human scale to represent actual insect diversity. But what is the actual spatial scale of insect communtiy structure ? This should be more challenged in current studies. Maybe observationnal sites with 200 m will harbor different insect communities ? I started this point of debate cause I know that it will be some divergent opinions according to the selected insect taxonomic group and also the researcher feeling.
The distribution of insects in their habitat, a complex model. We have to consider many factors: food, thermo and hydro preferendum. Positive or negative phototaxis, etc. Some widespread Palaearctic and Holocctic species, when creating accurate maps, it turns out will have a local character of distribution over the area. The study of such refugia is a promising task, but it is impossible to cover all insects in one study. For some species, I have come across articles in the Insects journals. I think this topic deserves further development.
Regards, Sergey
In my view, there are no absolute and simple answer as the scale depends on the habitat under study. Consider the following examples that would aim to study the arthropod biodiversity of: 1) a pond that measures about 100 x 100 m; 2) a large (say 100 ha) vineyard that applies commercial pest management measures, including insecticides; 3) an unmanaged forest in Brazil; 4) a boreal forest (say in Northern Quebec, Canada) in winter time; 5) a millet field growing in Ouahigouya, Burkina Faso, a very dry region bordering the Saharan desert.
In these examples, no one scale can be used to robustly and objectively represent the arthropod biodiversity of these habitats. A "one size fits all" approach cannot be applied. So one has to have some experience of the habitat, frame the biological question tightly, and apply common sense.
Thanks for asking your stimulating question.
To get rid of scale insects prune and dispose of infested branches, twigs and leaves. When scale numbers are low they may be rubbed or picked off of plants by hand. Dabbing individual pests with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab or neem-based leaf shine will also work when infestations are light.
Identification: At first glance, many scale insects look like a small, circular bump that's part of the plant. Depending on the species, they vary in color from brown to cottony white and measure up to 1/4 inch long. Scale nymphs are known as crawlers and are similar in appearance.
Scale insects are small insects of the order Hemiptera, superfamily Coccoidea. Adult females typically have soft bodies and no limbs, and are concealed underneath domed scales, extruding quantities of wax for protection. Some species are hermaphroditic, with a combined ovotestis instead of separate ovaries and testes. Males, in the species where they occur, have legs and sometimes wings, and resemble small flies. Scale insects are herbivores, piercing plant tissues with their mouthparts and remaining in one place, feeding on sap. The excess fluid they imbibe is secreted as honeydew on which sooty mold tends to grow. The insects often have a mutualistic relationship with ants, which feed on the honeydew and protect them from predators. There are about 8,000 described species.
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