The Arizona cotton IPM strategy has depended on the introduction and stewardship of multiple selective technologies like Bt cottons for lepidopteran control and selective insecticides that are specific to whiteflies or Lygus control. The system is entirely dependent on these technologies and their safety to natural enemies like predators that provide biological control of whiteflies and other pests. Recently, we introduced Predator Thresholds for determining the level of biological control provided by 6 groups of cotton predators. How to manage ThryvOn has become a very common question this year, now that it is completely commercialized and growers have made purchasing decisions outside of planted seed contracts.

The Arizona IPM strategy, in conclusion, was rooted in these innovations. 1) Science-based sampling and threshold plans; 2) A determined and intentional transition away from broad-spectrum insecticides and to selective technologies, including whitefly insect growth regulators and other fully selective insecticides and Carbine and Transform for Lygus control; 3) A strong integration of chemical and biological controls as first envisioned by the progenitors of IPM more than 60 years ago; and 4) The development and deployment of “Use Instructions” for natural enemy conservation and the “Predator Thresholds”.

Guidelines for sampling whiteflies and identifying predators critical in their management. Includes predator-prey tables that provide guidelines that aid in management decisions of whiteflies.

In 7 minutes or less and just 7 steps, you can determine the size and structure of Bemisia tabaci populations in a cotton field. With this information, more precise and appropriate control decisions can be made.

Biological control works when chemical controls are carefully selected so that key predator groups are conserved. Big-eyed bugs, Collops beetles, crab spiders, lacewing larvae, minute pirate bugs and Drapetis flies are the key predators in the cotton system. They can effectively hold whiteflies in check when their numbers are high enough. Includes updated whitefly predator threshold tables.

A guide to protecting young and emerging cotton from flea beetle damage and the factors to consider in determining control options.

Arizona enjoys a sustained recovery from the devastating whitefly outbreaks of the early 1990's. This success is built on an IPM strategy that includes the use of selective and effective chemistry. Admire has been a key soil insecticide protecting vegetables and produce throughout Arizona and is the first member of a burgeoning class of chemistry known as the neonicotinoids. New members of this valuable, reduced-risk, class of chemistry are now available to agricultural producers, placing a burden on users of these compounds to adopt rational plans for sustaining their efficacy. This consensus document represents our best guess efforts to limit and share this chemistry among different agricultural interests. Our goal is to preserve the long-term efficacy of the neonicotinoids and protect growers' interests in sustainable and economical whitefly management. Through identification of crop communities (i.e., "multi-crop", "cotton-intensive", and "cotton/melon") common to Arizona agriculture, we have sculpted sensible plans of use that should allow access to this valuable chemistry for everyone, while protecting it from resistance.