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This is Jack Bacheler, Extension Entomologist at NCSU with the Wednesday Cotton Insect Hotline tape. Today is Wednesday, May 6.

Although I realize that many cotton producers like nothing better than to get a good stand up early, last night’s round of wet weather for much of the state may have been a blessing in disguise if cotton planting turns out to be postponed for a few days and the seed planted into better soil moisture. As we mentioned last week, cotton planted in the May 10 to 20 window will likely be less damaged by tobacco thrips and western flower thrips than cotton planted in late April or during the first of May.

As is often the case in North Carolina, a few areas of the state are still on the dry side. Even for these producers, it’s much too early to worry about running out of time in waiting for better moisture conditions.

Under almost all circumstances, once cotton is planted, the initial scouting for thrips is typically best timed for either three weeks after planting or at the first true leaf stage. With our moderate to heavy thrips levels, a foliar spray following a seed treatment almost always pays off. If this approach is planned, the initial scouting can be postponed until 4-5 days following the spray following a seed treatment.

From stand emergence through about the 4-5 true leaf stage, walking cotton fields for evidence of cutworm damage in the form of cut-off off plants may be helpful, particularly in reduced till fields. Digging around in the soil, pulling back the litter, and looking under dirt clods in the area of wilted or cut-off plants can sometimes reveal these mid to late stage caterpillars. Stand losses from cutworms can result in either long skips or, in rare occasions, replanting. If the application is well-timed, cutworms can be readily controlled with insecticides.

Because cotton varies from some good stands to not having being planted, this coming week should be on the quiet side, insect-wise. I have a feeling things are fixin’ to change over the next 3-5 weeks as thrips begin to pay their respects.

We’ll check in again next Wednesday, May 13. See you then.