Another crop year has begun with approximately 40-50% of the cotton crop in the ground at this point. Relatively calm and open weather has been a blessing allowing planters to run uninhibited.

Phone number change - To ease the availability of this Agent and increase accessibility, the mobile phone number listed above is new and will allow local service from both counties. Floyd County producers had been paying long distance charges previously. This new service is in effect as of May 16, 2002.

Newsletters on-line - For those producers who are interested, an on-line newsletter service is available if the proposed recipient will submit an e-mail address to this office.

Technology is great and the use of same should be maximized whenever possible. {There are several web sites available through Texas Cooperative Extension – please contact this office for further information.} Bottom line, we are trying to save as much on postage as possible, therefore, we are asking for your support in this effort.

Insect news is limited but there are some incidental items to report.

Thrips are alleged to be "hammering " some very early-planted cotton; which stands to reason if no seed treatment or in-furrow insecticides were utilized on this early-planted, "cool season" cotton. Damage noted has been restricted primarily to cotyledon leaves and should be monitored even more closely as the first true leaves begin to emerge in earnest. Once the wheat and winter weed hosts begins to dry out, the shift in host plants to young cotton will show a marked increase in a very short time frame.

Pecan nut case bearer (PNCB) moths have begun to emerge in Crosbyton proper with one captured on the 13th and two on the 16th in two separate traps. In 2001, there were a total of 297 heat units accumulated prior to moth emergence on May 14. This year, we have had 348.5 accumulated heat units with first emergence of moths on May 12th. « This seems strange when comparing heat unit accumulations especially since the trees seem to be behind last year in blooming and fruit set. » As you may remember, there is a delay of seven to ten days prior to egg lay once PNCB moths begin to emerge and then another four to five day delay prior to eggs hatching and nutlets being penetrated. These are all approximations and scouting on a routine basis is the only way to be accurate when anticipating insecticidal control of this insect. More to follow next week.

"Miller moth" emergence was dramatic ten days to two weeks ago with abundant numbers of army cutworm, seemingly overnight. These pose no problem other than nuisance at this time and will soon migrate to cooler climate. It's that time of year when all insects become more visible and more of a nuisance.

Boll weevils have been captured in 2002 in area pheromone traps by the Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation field personnel, however, numbers have been extremely low (0.002 per trap as of May 12, 2002) and there is, to my knowledge, no cotton far enough along to support weevils in our area (northern high plains). They may feed in terminals of young cotton but cannot reproduce without squares or bolls.

Lygus (plant bugs) are being detected in field margins (weed hosts) and have been abundant in early alfalfa this spring. It is believed that they will be the next "boll weevil" in terms of control necessity and added cost of production. They are extremely hard to sample for, as are fleahoppers which need attention.

Heat unit accumulations will be reported weekly this year with comparison to 2000 and 2001 so that we might all keep track of the intensely important environmental factors affecting our industry. As of May 15, accumulations are;

Heat units are calculated by the Degree Day 60 formula for accumulation of temperature as it relates to developmental processes of biological organisms; or,

DD60 = [( Max. temp.+ Min. temp.) ÷ 2 ] – 60

with this figure calculated daily from about mid March.

Texas Cooperative Extension's annual Scout School is scheduled for Friday, May 31, 2002, at the Ollie Liner Center in Plainview. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. with the program starting at 9:00. This program is an integral part of Extension's educational effort and is valuable information presented by the District II IPM staff.

There is never enough room to expound on all that is sometimes felt necessary, therefore, should questions arise from information that is partially presented or further explanations are needed, please don't hesitate to call or e-mail for clarification.

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