General Conditions: Program cotton fields are in good shape overall after most have been irrigated. The rains over the weekend have helped greatly , however, Lepidopterous pests (bollworm, budworm and beet armyworm) may have more of a chance of survival with the increased humidity in the plant canopy at this time. Growth ranges from 5-7 true leaf to bloom with square set from 80 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 non-existent. Plains Cotton Growers latest trap period shows a slight increase over the last period for Crosby and Floyd Counties. Brant Baugh , Lubbock Co. IPM agent , is reporting finding 1st generation summer weevils in program fields. All fields still need to be scouted on a regular basis to ensure that no new infestations are being established as we don't want to rear our own weevils. Information regarding treatment thresholds and suggested insecticides can be obtained through your local county Extension office.

Grasshoppers have not been reported or seen as a problem in program fields this last week.

Beet Armyworm Larvae are still being seen in cotton and pumpkins. Egg masses have been noted but survival rates are extremely low. Visible egg mass sites on plant leaves have yielded very few small larvae . A major factor in this reduced survival seems to be due to the high numbers of predators with dry, blasting wind as another natural control measure. BAW moth trap catches are erratic but increasing with all showing at least a 75% rise over last week.

Cotton Fleahoppers, Cotton Aphids,and Cotton Bollworms have all been reported in program fields but all have been sub- economic to this point. Heliothis moth traps are showing sporadic activity at this time. Small bollworms can be found in all program fields if a person looks hard enough. Primarily, those irrigated fields that are approaching peak bloom will be the ones at greatest risk for potential egg-lay and worm numbers. Weather extremes have negatively affected small bollworm survival up to now. Fleahoppers are still being seen in most fields but have not posed a real problem in program cotton. The Focus newsletter (July 6 edition) written by Dr. Jim Leser, contains interesting insight regarding square retention and related cause- and- effect . What sometimes gets blamed on insects is actually environmental or due to varietal characteristics (possibly). Food for thought.

Beneficial Insects are still in relatively high numbers with Crab spiders, Orius and Big-Eyed Bugs the three top leaders in program fields this week.

Please reserve July 23 for "turn-row" meetings to be held in both Crosby and Floyd counties featuring Jim Leser, District 2 Cotton Entomology Specialist as the guest speaker.

- 9: 00 a.m. @ Floydada COOP thanks to Leighton Stovall
- 10:30 a.m. @ Lockney COOP thanks to Charlie McQuhae
- 1: 00 p.m. @ Ralls Community Room – 810 Ave. I in Ralls

Cold drinks will be provided by Crosby-Floyd IPM. Special thanks to J.D. Ragland and Steve Young, County Extension Agents - Ag, for their assistance.