Monitoring is a crucial component of all integrated pest management (IPM) programs. It helps to identify potential problems and to assess the overall field conditions. Check the field regularly for pests and natural enemies of pest species, as well as the maturity and health of the crop.
There are six major monitoring periods for a cotton crop. The presence and population development of key pests are tracked during these periods. The information in the table below outlines the monitoring periods, major pests monitored, and the methods used to monitor them. Detailed information on each pest and its monitoring method is available under the individual pest sections in this guideline.
| Monitoring Period | Pests Monitored | Method Used |
|---|---|---|
| Preplant to planting | weeds | weed survey |
| Crop emergence to seedling growth | spider mites, aphids, cutworms, and thrips | examine cotyledons or first true leaves |
| false chinch bugs, stink bugs | monitor nearby crops, fence rows and weedy areas | |
| weeds | weed survey | |
| Early squaring | spider mites, aphids, and whitefly | examine 5th mainstem node leaf from top of plant |
| lygus bugs | sweep sampling; square retention monitoring | |
| weeds | weed survey | |
| Bloom to boll | spider mites, aphids, and whitefly | examine 5th mainstem node leaf from top of plant |
| lygus bugs | sweep sampling; square retention monitoring | |
| First open boll to preharvest | aphids and whitefly | examine 5th mainstem node leaf from top of plant |
| weeds | weed survey | |
| Verticillium wilt | stem sampling | |
| Harvest to postharvest | nematodes | weighted nematode rating |