Cotton fields near or above stink bug threshold were selected and utilized as test sites.  At each field site, field scout set out 10 marker flags within the field in a normal scouting pattern.  Scout returned to vehicle to begin examination.  Upon test initiation, the beginning time was recorded and scout proceeded toward the first marker flag at a normal pace.  Once at marker flag, scout colleted 10 random cotton bolls and examined them internally for stink bug damage and recorded the number of damaged bolls.  The scout proceeded to the next marker flag to repeat the procedure.  This continued until all marker flags had been visited for a total of 100 bolls sampled per field.  The scout then exited the field and recorded the ending time.  Next, the scout repeated the process by recording a new beginning time and proceeding to the first marker flag.  Again, the scout collected 10 random bolls from the site, but this time examined the bolls for external stink bug feeding signs (external sunken lesions and “maybe” external sunken lesions).  If a boll had 4 or more external stink bug feeding signs, that boll was deemed to be damaged internally.  Data was recorded.  Scout completed sampling at all 10 marker flags for a total of 100 bolls per field and exited the field, recording ending time. 
Data was analyzed to determine time savings and correlation between the two sampling methods.