Diversity of Insects in Grassland using Sweep Net Sampling

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the abundance and diversity of insects within the grassland. The abundance of insects was examined using sweep net sampling. A 10 meter transect was placed randomly in the grassland. The sweep net sampling technique (gliding the net across the ground) occured along each transect for 5 minutes. After the 5 minutes have passed, the contents the net gathered were observed and the number of insects, as well as the identification of the insect species present, were recorded. 10 trials took place in this experiment. This experiment was conducted on October 3rd, 2014 from 3:05-3:55pm on the grassland by The Chimneystack Road. During the time of the experiement, there was a moderate breeze and constant rain showers. Observations and the recording of the data was completed by Lilach Dahoah-Halevi (myself), Cait Carew, Shervin Tohidi and Nitharsija Srikanthan.