Cotton Insect Losses 1991

Compiled for National Cotton Council

Robert B. Head, Chairman

Cooperative Extension Service

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, MS

State Coordinators

Alabama -- Dr. Ronald H. Smith

Arkansas-- Dr. Don Johnson

Arizona-- Dr. Leon Moore

California-- Dr. Peter B. Goodell

Florida-- Dr. R.K. Sprenkel

Georgia-- Dr. William R. Lambert, III

Louisiana-- Dr. James S. Tynes

Mississippi-- Dr. Robert Head

Missouri-- Dr. Ray Nabors

New Mexico-- Dr. Charles R. Ward

North Carolina-- Dr. Jack Bachelor

Oklahoma-- Dr. Miles Karner

South Carolina-- Dr. Mitchell Roof

Tennessee-- Dr. Richard E. Caron

Texas-- Dr. Ray Frisbie

Virginia-- Dr. James Roberts, Sr.

Background

This information was provided by state coordinators and was collected from surveys of county agents, Extension specialists, private consultants and research entomologists.

All data are averaged over a total reporting unit, state, etc. For example, if a unit report represents 100 acres and an eight percent loss on 25 of these acres, then in the table summary this shows up as a total 2% loss. This type of averaging is used for all data reported including yields and costs of control.

Highlights

It is interesting to note that aphids are estimated to have produced the greatest pest related losses in U. S. cotton in 1991. Aphid losses reported at 2.01% were followed by boll/budworms at 1.68%, boll weevils at only 0.69%, lygus at 0.47% and all other pest species caused damages less than 0.2%. Total percent losses were 5.46%; dollars lost were $282,678,760 and average costs of control were $33.20. (Table 2)

There are increasing concerns about evolving new pests. This is true for sweet potato whiteflies. These insects have been pests of cotton in California and Arizona for many years. This year there were infestations in cotton reported from Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and very serious problems in South Texas.

We have also had reports of continued problems with soybean loopers in Georgia and Alabama cotton. In North Carolina the European Cornborer has advanced to major pest status. There is

one report of "pill bugs" as a pest in small acerage in Texas. The corn root aphid was reported as a pest in New Mexico.

Key to Tables

Table 1----------USDA Yield Estimates

Table 2----------Summary All States

Table 3----------Central Alabama

Table 4----------North Alabama

Table 5----------South Alabama

Table 6----------Summary Alabama

Table 7----------Arizona

Table 8----------Arkansas

Table 9----------California

Table 10---------Florida

Table 11---------Georgia

Table 12---------Louisiana

Table 13---------Mississippi Delta

Table 14---------Mississippi Hills

Table 15---------Mississippi Summary

Table 16---------Missouri

Table 17---------New Mexico

Table 18---------North Carolina

Table 19---------Oklahoma

Table 20---------South Carolina

Table 21---------Tennessee

Table 22---------Texas, District 1

Table 23---------Texas, District 2

Table 24---------Texas, District 3

Table 25---------Texas, District 4

Table 26---------Texas, District 5

Table 27---------Texas, District 6

Table 28---------Texas, District 7

Table 29---------Texas, District 8

Table 30---------Texas, District 10

Table 31---------Texas, District 11

Table 32---------Texas, District 12

Table 33---------Texas, District 13

Table 34---------Texas, District 14

Table 35---------Texas Summary

Figure 1----------Map of Texas by Districts