Comparing three sampling techniques for surveying and monitoring arthropods in Moroccan agroecosystems

Insect monitoring is a key component of sustainable and productive crop management. Among the various methods used to observe insect communities, pitfall trapping, visual searching, and sweep-net sampling of vegetation are the most widely applied. Selecting an appropriate sampling method is essential to obtain a comprehensive and accurate representation of species diversity. However, there is a notable lack of quantitative studies comparing the relative effectiveness of these techniques across different insect taxa In Morocco.In this study, the efficiency of three sampling strategies—pitfall trapping, mowing (sweep sampling of herbaceous plants), and visual searching—was evaluated to assess arthropod abundance and diversity in agroecosystems of northwestern Morocco. Between spring and summer 2020, a total of 69 species belonging to seven orders and 27 families were recorded. Pitfall traps and visual searching proved most effective for capturing ground beetles, whereas mowing herbaceous vegetation was particularly effective for collecting flying insects.These results highlight the importance of carefully selecting sampling techniques to ensure accurate estimates of arthropod diversity and abundance. Combining multiple methods provides a more comprehensive overview of arthropod communities in any ecosystem, including agroecosystems.