An entomology research team interested in controlling the spread of winter moths, an insect pest in the northeastern United States, samples a 150-square-meter patch of woodland with four quadrats of 1 meter by 1 meter each. In quadrats A, B, C, and D, respectively, 10, 20, 35, and 15 individual winter moths are found. What is the best estimate for the total number of winter moths in that patch of woodland?
A) 80
B) 2,000
C) 3,000
D) 8,000

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The average number of moths per quadrat is (10+20+35+15)/4 = 20. The total area is 150 square meters, so the estimate is 20 moths/square meter * 150 square meters = 3,000 moths.

An Entomology Research Team Interested in Controlling the Spread of Winter