In the Furrow
Cotton Insect Management
By Will Duffie County Extension Coordinator

Insect pests are a major limiting factor in producing cotton in Burke County. Hundreds of species of insects may be found in a cotton field, but only about 20 of those species are capable of producing economically important damage. The primary insect of concern is the Cotton Bollworm, also known as the Corn Earworm.

So how do you find bad and good insects in a cotton field? A good scout is still the first line of defense against insect pests in cotton. A cotton scout must be able to identify the damaging species of insects as well as the common beneficial arthropods. There are many valid techniques that may be used to assess the impact of insects in a field of cotton. Many growers will opt to scout their own cotton.

Bollworms are the key insect pest of cotton in Georgia because they will infest most fields in the state every year. Infestations are most likely to occur in July, after moths that have emerged from cornfields begin to deposit eggs on cotton plants. In the Coastal-Plain region, moth flights will usually begin within the period from 6 July to 20 July.

The current situation is this. In Burke County, corn acreage is more than doubled from the previous 5 years. In these corn fields, infestations of corn earworms (bollworms) are over 90% of the ears. Moths are currently emerging from corn fields and moving into nearby cotton fields. Cotton growers need to monitor fields as egg and small larvae counts begin to increase.

Early this week egg numbers have begun to increase which I believe is the beginning of a long and heavy moth flight. Hopefully I am wrong, but indications are pointing to heavy numbers in our area.

Moths are currently being trapped by Jennifer McDaniel in Vidette, at the Experiment Station in Midville, and by three cotton growers in Girard. Moths numbers are on the rise.

A couple of points on management with insecticides. When using a pyrethroid insecticide, do not use a low rate. Treat field on a timely basis, especially with experiencing a high egg count. For questions contact the UGA - Burke County Extension Office at 706-554- 2119.