Cotton is already up in some fields. Having only cotyledons or 1 true-leaf the plants are susceptible to thrips which are being found in populations up to 6 thrips per plant.

Thrips are small (1/15 inch long), narrow insects that are yellow-tan in color. They have piercing and sucking mouthparts and can injure cotton through the 6-leaf stage. The damage is the result of the thrips feeding on the leaves of the cotton plants. Thrips damage the leaf by rasping the underside of leaves and feeding on the plant juices. Damage results in the leaves being malformed (crinkled and cupped) and can also result in killing the terminal of the plant. Damage can easily be mistaken for wind or sand damage.

Thrips damage can result in reduced stands, stunted plants, and delayed fruiting and maturity. Injury after the 6th leaf stage is rarely severe enough to need treatment. Thresholds for thrips are 2-5 per plant, depending on plant size and growing conditions. Environmental conditions that slow plant growth, such as cool temperatures, can increase the amount of damage from thrips.

We are still looking for fields to scout as indicator fields. If you would like to have one of your fields considered for the scouting program, contact my office at (915)236-9011.

Scout school will be held on June 4 at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in San Angelo. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. Cost for scout school for private industry is $50.00 for the first intern and $10.00 for each additional intern. Cost for producers attending will be $10.00. For additional information, contact Rick Minzenmayer at 365-5212.

This newsletter as well as other information relating to Integrated Pest Management is available on the Lower Rolling Plains IPM Unit website. The address for this site is: nolan-ext.tamu.edu/ipm

This website has the data from the weather station, summarized field scouting data and moth trapping data.

We will be updating this site daily and hope that it will provide a quick reference to cotton production information.

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied. We will seek to provice reasonable accomodations for all persons with disabilites for all extension programs. We request that you contact Mr. Stephen Biles (915/236-9011) as soon as possible to advise us of the auxiliary aid or service that your require.

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