ARS | Publication request: Keeping Cotton Green

Submitted to: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: July 13, 2011
Publication Date: July 13, 2011
Repository URL: http://ag.arizona.edu/crops/cotton/files/SelectiveChemicalControlsvF.pdf
Citation: Ellsworth, P., Brown, L., Fournier, A., Li, X., Palumbo, J., Naranjo, S.E. 2011. Keeping Cotton Green. Field Crop IPM Shorts, Cooperative Extension, University of Arizona, Tucson. Extension Fact Sheets. 7/2011.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton is a major crop in Arizona and is affected by multiple insect pests. A highly effective and economically efficient integrated pest management program has been developed for the major pests of cotton. The program utilizes sampling to determine the abundance of pest insects in the field and economic thresholds that determine when insect abundance is high enough to warrant some sort of control action. When insect suppression is needed it is recommended that producers use selective insecticides. These are insecticides that have very specific toxicity to the pest insect but do not affect other beneficial insects (predators, parasitoids, pollinators) and spiders. This short extension circular outlines the available selective and non-selective insecticides for insect control in cotton and discusses why producers should use selective options when insecticidal control is required.

Technical Abstract: Cotton is a major crop in Arizona and is affected by multiple insect pests. A highly effective and economically efficient integrated pest management program has been developed for the major pests of cotton. The program utilizes sampling to determine the abundance of pest insects in the field and economic thresholds that determine when insect abundance is high enough to warrant some sort of control action. When insect suppression is needed it is recommended that producers use selective insecticides. These are insecticides that have very specific toxicity to the pest insect but do not affect other beneficial insects (predators, parasitoids, pollinators) and spiders. This short extension circular outlines the available selective and non-selective insecticides for insect control in cotton and discusses why producers should use selective options when insecticidal control is required.