Cotton Insect Newsletter Vol. 19, No. 1, May 16, 2001

Cotton Insect Hotline:  Thanks to the South Carolina Cotton Board, we will have a Cotton Insect Hotline (1-877-629-1474) again this year.  We use the Hotline to transmit timely information about cotton pests and cotton production.  The first report will be filed on Friday, June 8 and thereafter for the remainder of the growing season the Hotline will be updated by 12:00 noon Tuesdays and Fridays. Cotton Situation:  Cotton is growing very slowly, most growers are waiting for rain on their fields either for planting or to germinate seed.  Thrips are starting to leave fields of small grains to attach cotton.  With dry soils, there may have been insufficient uptake of Temik to provide adequate control of these thrips.  Other insect pests are waiting for the plants to grow, so that they can do what they do best--eat and reproduce.  If you would like to learn more about insects and other noxious pests, try to attend one of Clemson University's Cotton Scouting Schools. The following program will apply to the Scouting School at the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College on June 5 and the one at PDREC on June 6.  Note that the actual program will not begin until 9:00 AM, but it's good to get there early (any time after 8:00 AM) and register, so that you will have time to look over the materials prior to the first class.  The School at Orangeburg-Calhoun Tech.  will be held in Building C, room 118.  Charles Davis will be the contact for this meeting (phone 803/874-2354, or cdvs@clemson.edu).  For information about the PDREC School you can call me at 843/669-1912 ext. 204 or email me at mroof@clemson.edu.  The fee will be $10, payable at registration.  Cash or check--checks should be made payable to Clemson University. Cotton Scouting Schools Program 8:00 to 9:00 AM....Registration  9:00....Cotton Production: Mike Jones, Cotton Specialist, Pee Dee REC     * Growth and development of cotton plants     * Production techniques 9:30....Insects that Damage Cotton: Mitchell Roof, Extension Entomologist, Pee Dee REC     * Growth and development of insects     * Identifying common insect pests     * How insects damage the cotton plant  11:00....Weeds and Herbicide Injury to Cotton: Ed Murdock, Weed Scientist Pee Dee REC     * Identifying the most troublesome weeds in cotton     * Characteristics of seedling plants useful in identifying weeds     * Symptoms of herbicide injury 11:30....Diseases and Nematodes: John Mueller, Plant Pathologist, Edisto REC     * Symptoms of common diseases and nematodes of cotton     * Seed rot     * Handling diseased plant specimens for diagnosis  12:00....Lunch on your own. 1:00....Beneficial Insects and Spiders: Don Manley, Extension Entomologist, Pee Dee REC     * Identifying the common beneficials     * Protecting honey bees 1:30....Scouting Methods: Mitchell Roof     * Techniques used to scout for insect pests     * Determining threshold levels for control of insect pests     * Equipment needs 2:15....Pesticides and Safety: Mitchell Roof 3:00-4:30....Summary and Field training   Mitchell Roof  Extension Entomologist

This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied. Brand names of pesticides are given as a convenience and are neither an endorsement nor guarantee of the product nor a suggestion that similar products are not effective. Use pesticides only according to the directions on the label. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.  Clemson University Cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture and South Carolina Counties.  Issued in Furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914.  Public Service Activities