Cotton Insect Newsletter Vol. 22, No. 8, July 7, 2004

Cotton Situation:  Blooms may be found in the majority of cotton fields as I begin to write this newsletter.  Rain showers have been plentiful during the last couple of weeks, but there are still some spots needing moisture.  With temperatures near 95 degrees and plants requiring about 0.25 inches of water each day, there will be some stressful growing conditions ahead.  Scattered thunderstorms are still in the forecast for the next few days, but the weather gurus are not too encouraging for the 15-day period.  Insect Situation:  Bollworm/budworm egg counts have gone down considerably this week.  During the next few days, I expect to hear reports of increased bollworm activity in the Savannah Valley as moths begin their annual trek from corn fields to cotton fields.  By the third week in July, egg and small worm counts should be escalating across the Pee Dee area.  I don't really worry too much about the 2nd generation bollworms and budworms occurring in June and early July.  Research has shown that cotton plants can stand to lose a large percentage of squares during that time frame.  This next generation is a different story, however.  From this point on, scouts and consultants can earn their keep in a big way.  Finding eggs and small worms, and filing timely reports with growers, will generally more than pay for their cost.  And then there are the bugs—stink bugs, plant bugs, cotton fleahoppers, and perhaps some others that have the potential to damage the bolls of Bt-cotton.  Spider mites, whiteflies and aphids can damage the foliage by sucking out plant juices. As if these weren't enough, there may also be fall armyworms and beet armyworms to contend with.  I sincerely hope that most cotton farmers have provided adequately this year for the management of cotton insect pests.  Insect pests can turn good cotton plants into weeds if you aren't prepared.  Speaking of bugs, stink bugs are receiving lots of press this year from entomologists in the Southeast.  Scouts should be checking quarter-sized bolls for damage at this time.  I have already heard a few reports of fields being sprayed for stink bugs.  Of course you run the risk of triggering infestations of bollworms and aphids with these early sprays for stink bugs.  Bidrin, methyl parathion, Orthene and the pyrethroids will all be tough on beneficials.  Trimax is labeled for stink bugs and will be easy on beneficials, but the level of control will be less than with the above materials. Speaking of Bidrin, I received the following information from Paul Vaculin concerning the state of registration: “As you are likely aware, BIDRIN has been undergoing re-evaluation with EPA as part of the reregistration process.  That process is still ongoing and no changes in labeling have been mandated by EPA for the 2004 season.  BIDRIN may be used in 2004 just as it has for the past several years.  Key application points on the current label are as follows:        · BIDRIN may be aerially applied in 2004        · BIDRIN may be applied at rates up to 0.5 lb ai/ac (8 oz/ac)        · BIDRIN may be applied a maximum of three times in one season The reregistration process is moving toward completion.   EPA has determined that BIDRIN is eligible for reregistration and therefore will continue to be available for use in the future.  Possible restrictions on the use of BIDRIN may be in force for the 2005 use season, but these have not yet been finalized.” Tommy Walker has found the first evidence of the fungus, Neozygites fresenii in South Carolina from a June 29 collection of aphids.  Signs of the disease are showing up in the Pee Dee area, but no positive identifications have been made by the lab in Arkansas.  Look for dead aphids that are covered with grayish colored “fuzz”.  Aphid infestations have been fairly heavy this year.  I would not spray unless fields are extremely dry and the majority of plants have aphid damage (yellowed, droopy leaves) and obvious signs of moisture stress.    Mitchell Roof  Extension Entomologist

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