This sampling approach
incorporated a weed strip along a field border and transected the
chili pepper field to the weed strip border on the opposite side of
the field. To quantify arthropod abundance, each transect was
meticulously inspected, all plant species recorded and all arthropods
on the plant were collected (approximately 10 min collection/
plant) and their location recorded based on the following
parameters: (i) prey, when arthropods were feeding upon aphids
or another prey; (ii) on/in plant flower parts, (iii) extrafloral nectaries,
when arthropods were feeding on an extrafloral structure; and
(iv) refuge, to categorize arthropods that were found on plants but
were not feeding or associated with any plant food resource. After
visual observation for arthropods, plants were also sampled by
beating foliage over a collection tray to ensure comprehensive
sampling of the fauna.