Source: NCSU COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, 7/7/22

With hot, dry sustained weather across the state, odd issues are showing up. A couple weeks ago, we had a rash of false chinch bug in some parts of the state. Fortunately they didn’t amount to much injury on the plants and have dissipated with some of the rain we have caught. However, spider mites have now taken hold and should be a considered for any insecticide applications we make going forward.

Spider mites reproduce best on cotton that is stressed and reproduce more quickly in warm weather. We’ve had both! Also, a fungus that often holds back spider mite populations thrives better in wet and humid conditions that we have been lacking. Hopefully this fungus shows up soon, but I have not heard of it yet.

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