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Field and Forage Crops |
The early to mid-July period just prior to the major bollworm moth flight often provides North Carolina cotton producers a break before the typically more serious pests move into cotton. Some producers, however, have already had enough of insect pests.
Dry weather insects, like thrips, spider mites and even beet armyworms, have already caused their share of headaches for many cotton producers. Hot, dry weather patterns have unfortunately continued across many counties.
As mid July approaches, insect reports and advice will increasingly turn to bollworms, stink bugs and plant bugs, although further outbreaks of cotton aphids and spider mites are still possible. Although beet armyworms seem to have taken a hike, this species is now in the area and continued dry weather coupled with upcoming pyrethroid insecticide applications for bollworms and stink bugs could bring back damaging infestations.
Contrary to what one might think, bollworm survival in and moth production from ear stage field corn suffering from drought conditions are often high. Expect this year's mid to late-July bollworm moth flights to be early, especially compared with last year's wimpy, late flights.
In conventional cotton, an aggressive approach to bollworm management at the onset of egg laying from the major moth flights is still justified. Because of the importance of getting a clean start and the slightly increased tolerance of bollworms to pyrethroid insecticides, medium to high pyrethroid rates are often justified for the initial application or two.
In Bollgard cotton, increased emphasis on stink bugs and plant bugs is needed. Since its introduction in 1996, Bollgard cotton managed by North Carolina's producers has sustained over 3 times more boll damage from bugs than from bollworms. The sampling of quarter-size bolls specifically for internal boll damage from bugs is now encouraged by all entomologists in the Southeast. Stink bug levels were high in cotton in much of North Carolina in both 2000 and 2001. Whether or not this trend of increasing bug damage continues, bug pests are here to stay on this less frequently-treated Bollgard cotton. It pays to take stink bugs seriously in Bollgard cotton, so plan to scout accordingly.
Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Last modified on July 8, 2002 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.