Development of a binomial sampling plan for Oligonychus perseae (Acari: Tetranychidae) on avocado

A sequential binomial sampling plan was developed for Oligonychus perseae (Acari: Tetranychidae), a foliar mite pest on avocados in California. Using mite count data collected from commercial avocado orchards, regression analyses were conducted to define the relationship between the mean number of O. perseae per leaf and the proportion of infested leaves.  The sampling plan classifies the density of O. perseae as requiring control/no control based on the proportion of sampled leaves with at least one mite. Computer simulations were used to evaluate the performance of the sampling plan based on the Operating Characteristic (OC) and Average Sample Number (ASN) curves.  The results of this research will help improve the sampling efficiency for O. perseae in avocado orchards.