'Drone-Netting' for Sampling Live Insects. Issue 5 (11th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Löcken, Helge; Fischer, Ottmar W; Selz, Jürgen; Boppré, Michael
• Editors: Weintraub, Phyllis
• Is Part Of: Journal of insect science. Volume 20:Issue 5(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09-11
• Subjects: entomofaunistics -- sampling method -- drone -- biodiversity -- survey; Insects -- Periodicals; Entomology -- Periodicals; Arthropoda -- Periodicals; Insects; Arthropods; Biology; Ecology; Entomologie -- Périodiques; Entomology; Insects; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 595.05
• DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieaa086
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1536-2442

Abstract

Abstract: Drones have become valuable tools for biodiversity studies by providing aerial photographs; however, for most entomological studies, images, in particular those taken remotely, are usually insufficient; rather sampling of specimens is required. We equipped a cheap off-the-shelf drone with a net bag, flew it over the ground, sweeping the vegetation, and sampled adult and larval insects as well as spiders. 'Drone-netting' proved to be a versatile method for general insect sampling, particularly in inaccessible terrains. It is time- and cost-effective, minimally invasive, and adaptable for many research tasks in entomofaunistics; it shows a degree of representativeness similar to hand-netting, and caught specimens stay alive and can be released if not needed.