General Conditions: Program cotton fields are in fair shape even after the hot, dry conditions that have continued this last week. Growth ranges from 5 true leaf to 1/3rd grown square with square set from 75 to 95 %, depending upon planting date and available moisture. Insect pressure is still very low over the two-county area.

Boll Weevil Numbers : Program trap numbers are mostly non-existent with only two locations in extreme eastern Floyd County showing one weevil per trap. Plains Cotton Growers grid trap numbers have decreased in southern Crosby County to zero and maintained some activity in southern Floyd County with average trap catches of 1 to 4 weevils for the week in only two locations. All fields still need to be scouted on a regular basis to alleviate damage from this pest . I've heard of cotton in Dickens County (far west) being treated for weevils this last week.

Grasshoppers have not been reported or seen as a problem in program fields this last week. However, these insects move rapidly and crops next to pastures need to be watched closely at this time.

Beet Armyworm Larvae are still being seen in young cotton, or at least where they were feeding on young leaves. Survival rates are very low to non-existent in program fields. A very few "beet" larvae were observed in pumpkin fields east of Floydada but are of little consequence at this time. BAW moth trap catches have increased slightly over the last week but the next peak egg-lay remains to be seen .

Cotton Fleahoppers, Lygus Bugs, Cotton Aphids, Cotton Bollworms and Cotton Square Borers have all been reported in program fields but all have been sub- economic to this point except one field in Floyd County that was treated for Lygus the first part of the week. Heliothis moth traps are showing very little activity at this time but should pick up shortly as other counties to the south are beginning to report increased bollworm activity.

Beneficial Insects , especially " Crab Spiders", are hopefully going to be with us for the bollworm battle. Checking program cotton this week has revealed what appears to be at least one spider per plant, and sometimes two, where weeds were burned down with herbicide. Lady beetles have increased in proportion to the slight increase in aphid populations and Minute Pirate and Big-Eyed bugs seem to have increased also.