In order to define an efficient method for sampling the rice root aphid (Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominale) it was conducted an experiment in a flooded rice field (cultivar 'Avaxi') located in Santa Vitoria do Palmar, in the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Standard samples of soil and roots including the aerial part of one rice plant were removed in the top of levees in the depth of 5cm using a sampler formed by a tube of rigid PVC (15cm x 5cm in diameter). The standard samples were submerged and shaken quickly in a plastic beaker with a capacity of 750mL containing 500mL of water to fully loose the soil from the roots. Soon after the supernatants aphids were counted. After this initial count all materials (soil and plant debris) remaining inside the cup and the roots of the plants were re-examined thoroughly to check the efficiency of the method. Data were grouped into frequency classes and subjected to Kruskal-Wallis analysis and descriptive statistics. It was concluded that the method is feasible for the sampling of the root aphid in rice plants being promising to monitoring this insect in commercial rice fields
Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominale; monitoring; soil
