Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, 7/16/18


Well it is definitely mid-season cotton management time here in North Carolina. Lots of questions on a complex of insect pests present in the Coastal Plain. Bollworm flight activity has picked up on cue (link to light trap information) and any management decisions made for other pests should also revolve around this pest. To avoid flaring bollworm and other pests, it is critical that we maintain as many natural enemies as possible. This can be accomplished by using more selective insecticides and avoiding broad spectrum insecticides unless they are needed. As a rule of thumb, carbamates (e.g., Vydate) and organophosphates (e.g., Bidrin, Lorsban, Orthene) are the harshest on natural enemies, followed by pyrethroids (e.g., bifenthrin, Karate/Warrior).

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