Agriculture: Cotton Pest Management Guidelines

First Bloom to First Open Boll

This year-round IPM program covers major pests of cotton grown in California.

About First Bloom to First Open Boll

What should you be doing during this time?

Continue tracking degree-day accumulations for plant growth.

Continue weekly monitoring of plant growth.

Consider adjusting nitrogen, irrigation management, and application timing and rate of plant growth regulators.

Continue monitoring for armyworms:

  • Treat if needed according to Cotton Pest Management Guidelines.

Start sampling plant terminals for bollworms.

Continue monitoring for spider mites, aphids, and whitefly:

  • Keep records (PDF)
  • See photo identification page for their natural enemies.
  • Treat if needed according to Cotton Pest Management Guidelines.

Continue sweep net sampling and square retention monitoring for lygus bug activity:

  • Keep records (PDF)
  • Treat if needed according to Cotton Pest Management Guidelines.

Other pests you may see:

  • Beet armyworm
  • Cabbage looper
  • Saltmarsh caterpillar
  • Stink bugs
Text Updated: 05/13
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