New Invasive U.S. Cotton Insects Training

Abstract

This video recording accompanies the presentation New invasive U.S. cotton insects training (Ellsworth, Reyes, Keith, & Zilnik, 2025; http://hdl.handle.net/10150/678361). The training summarizes a tri-lateral series of educational sessions conducted in August–September 2025 to strengthen early detection and response capacity against two invasive insect pests threatening U.S. cotton production: the two-spot cotton leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula) and the cotton seed bug (Oxycarenus hyalinipennis). Hosted collaboratively by the Arizona Cotton Research and Protection Council, Mexican partners in Mexicali, and the University of Arizona’s Yuma Agricultural Center, these sessions engaged frontline inspectors, supervisors, and pest control advisors in recognizing diagnostic features, understanding pest biology, and assessing potential impacts. The program combined high-quality images, citizen science records (iNaturalist), and preserved specimens to enhance accurate field identification and to distinguish target species from common look-alikes. Distribution updates highlighted the rapid spread of A. biguttula from Florida into the U.S. Cotton Belt and the establishment of O. hyalinipennis in California. Training outcomes confirmed participants’ ability to identify both pests in adult and immature stages, supporting regional preparedness and coordinated response efforts. This initiative underscores the importance of proactive education and cross-border collaboration in managing invasive threats to cotton production systems. Recorded and edited by Noe Barrios and Robert Masson at the Yuma County Cooperative Extension.