Cotton fields range in maturity from just planted to matchhead square. Although most of these fields are not yet showing signs of drought stress, they are still in need of a good rain. An inch of rain within the next week would do wonders for the future of the crop.

The two main insects that are affecting the cotton fields are Grasshoppers and Cotton Fleahoppers. Grasshoppers continue to be found along the field margins as much as 200 feet into some fields.

Cotton Fleahoppers are being found in numbers ranging from 0 to 30 per 100 plants and fruiting rates in these fields are as low as 68%. This indicates that some fields are at, or beyond, threshold levels for treating for fleahoppers. Fields should be checked carefully from the initiation of squaring until bloom. A field maintaining above 80 percent square set through half grown square will have the best chance of having a compact, uniform fruit set that will mature at a faster rate than a field that loses its early fruit.

Beet Armyworms have also been found in some fields. Small cotton is not very susceptible to Beets but this is something to be aware of as the crop gets larger and the potential for damage becomes greater.

For additional insect information, see the above internet website. We are working on making this site as useful as possible by updating it twice a week. Pay special notice to the "Cotton Pest Update" and "Moth Trapping Data." The "Cotton Pest Update" will contain a summary of the scouting reports by county. Nolan and Mitchell Counties will be updated on Wednesday, and Jones and Scurry counties will be updated on Friday.

The "Moth Trapping Data" will contain the number of Bollworm and Budworm moths captured in pheromone traps and will also be updated twice weekly.

Also, if you would prefer to receive your newsletter via e-mail, please e-mail me at: biles-sp@tamu.edu

June 25 Roscoe Co-op Gin

June 26 Producers Co-op Gin - Colorado City

June 27 Doug Foster Farm - West side of C.R. 4153 1 mile North of Inadale

June 28 Randall Brigham Farm - East side of Hwy. 277 1.5 miles North of F.M. 1636

All meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m. CEU's will be available at all meetings.

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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