Cotton Insect Control Trends: Where do we go from here?

Abstract

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.