Texas Agricultural Extension Service
The Texas A&M University System
 
T-Y IPM NEWS

news about integrated pest management in Terry and Yoakum counties
Scott A. Russell, EA-IPM
Telephone: (806) 637-4060
Mobile: (806) 893-1041
Fax: (806) 637-2588
E-Mail: sarussel@tamu.edu   http://lubbock.tamu.edu/ipm  
Vol. 2, No. 3
209 South Fifth Street, Brownfield, TX 79316
June 7, 2001

General Situation:
Hot, dry conditions and winds have caused their share of problems. The cooler wet spells of a couple weeks ago provided the seedling diseases a good start. We have fields with every thing from a couple of acres to nearly entire circles blown out. Many producers have been busy replanting these spots and everyone has been busy sand fighting. We are finding seedling disease(s) in area cotton fields. Dr. Terry Wheeler, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Plant Pathologist, will be culturing some specimens to determine if we are looking at Pythium or Rhizoctonia as the causal agent of the seedling disease. Cotton development varies with replanted fields being at 1 true leaf and earlier planted fields approaching 4-5 true leaves.

I know there is a general lack of enthusiasm about this year's outlook but I will continue to provide you with as much information as possible to assist you in making informed decisions about the management of your crop. Remember that everyone's economic situation is different and only you can decide what inputs are essential. Keep in mind that what is done today will impact that yield at harvest.

Thrips:
Thrips continue to be present, although we saw fewer in our scouting program fields this week. None of the scouting program fields required treatment for thrips.

Worms:
We are seeing numerous beet armyworms in fields. Numbers in Terry and Yoakum Counties have been quite variable. We are seeing some natural mortality of worms and have not seen any worms larger than 1/4 inch. Several fields in the area have been treated in the last two weeks for control of beet armyworms. With these pests attaching cotton which has fewer than four true leaves one should consider lowering the treatment threshold from the typical 20,000 per acre for mature cotton. This season two products which formerly were on the EPA Special Section 18 have full labels for use on cotton these are: Steward and Intrepid. We also have Denim available on the EPA Special Section 18.

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.
The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating
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Other Insect Pests:
Grasshoppers have been reported in several fields. In fields adjacent to pasture or grassland they are beginning to take out several rows of cotton. We are seeing both the usual migrator grasshopper (smaller in size and winged) and the lubber (jumbo) grasshoppers. Products labeled for use in cotton for grasshopper control include: Carbayl, Malathion and some Pyrethroids.

I have sampled weed hosts and alfalfa in several locations and am finding high numbers of fleahoppers and lygus bugs. With continued hot and dry conditions look for these pests to migrate into cotton when the weeds die or the alfalfa is cut. Both of these pests can attach the terminal buds of young cotton plants, but their most damaging impact may be when feeding on squares. Be alert and watch for these pests.

Turnrow Meetings:
Working with gin managers I have scheduled some informal meetings. There will be one C.E.U. in I.P.M. provided at each meeting.

Monday, June 11 at 10:00, Tokio Co-op Gin
Tuesday, June 12, at 9:00, Yoakum County Co-op Gin
Tuesday, June 12, at 10:30, New Tex Gin

We will discuss current pest problems, scouting methods and control measures. As well as your questions and interests.

MAILING LIST UPDATE:
We are required by penalty mail regulations to update our mailing list annually. The last newsletter contained a form to fill out if you wish to continue receiving this news letter. If you have not returned that form or notified our office please do so IMMEDAITELY so that you do not miss out. Only those who return the form or call our office will remain on the mailing list.

For more specifics about insect identification, scouting methods and thresholds see the Texas Agricultural Extension Service (TAEX) publication "Managing Cotton Insects in the High Plains, Rolling Plains and Trans Pecos Area of Texas 2001", TAEX publication number E-6. This cotton guide is available here at the office or on the internet at: http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/ag_and_field.html.

T-Y IPM News is a publication of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service IPM Program in Terry and Yoakum Counties.
Editor: Scott A. Russell
EA-IPM,
Terry & Yoakum Counties		 Production: Linda Waters


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