Wednesday, August 27, 1997

A wide array of insects are attacking cotton crop

By J.T. Smith / Abilene Reporter-News

There's a good cotton crop in the works in most of our Rolling Plains region.
Trouble is -- the insects want to eat it.

Cotton aphids continue to be a problem.

"(Aphid) infestations are still increasing in Knox County and probably will continue to increase another week," said veteran Texas A&M Entomologist Emory P. Boring III.
Boring reports that the heaviest infestations are in irrigated fields.

Some positive news. Good bugs such as lacewings, lady beetles, and assassin bugs are increasing. These beneficials are reducing aphid populations in some fields, Boring notes.

Boll weevil damage increasing

Boll weevils also are finding homes.

"Boll weevils are easily found in many fields," Boring said. "Square and small boll damage is increasing."

Boring suggests that boll protection begin when about 30 percent of the squares or 15 percent of the small bolls are weevil-damaged.

Several applications -- with about five days between applications -- will be needed to protect the cotton bolls, Boring advises.

"Bolls will need to be protected until they are about two weeks old or about one inch in diameter," Boring said.

Cotton fields should be inspected three to four days after an application of insecticide to determine the need for an additional application.

Protecting young bolls in the tops of the cotton plant is usually an expensive venture since that part of the cotton plant produces little cotton.

Boll weevil numbers are increasing in fields as more adult weevils emerge, and the numbers can be expected to continue to increase some more this week.

Worms after cotton too

When you raise cotton -- if it's not one thing, it's another.

If aphids and weevils aren't enough to fret about, then there's worms.

Bollworms and tobacco budworms increased last week on the Rolling Plains. Many fields were treated.

Boring said close inspection showed 60 to 75 percent were tobacco budworms.

Pirate insecticide as a Section 18 label from the Texas Department of Agriculture and is approved for a single application by TDA on a county-by-county basis where tobacco budworm control has failed.

Meawnhile, Texas A&M Entomologist Rick Minzenmayer reports that Tracer has been giving good control of tobacco budworms in the Ballinger area at the rate of 2.2 to 2.4 ounces per acre with 5 gallons of water.

Boring notes that bollworm and tobacco budworm traps continue to catch some large numbers of moths.

Finally, beet armyworms were found in some fields in the central part of the Rolling Plains this past week. Fields should be inspected for egg masses or worms.

Rolling Plains youth can learn about swine

Swine raisers can hone their skills at a workshop Sept. 6 at the Baylor County Show Barn in Seymour.

Registration is 9:30 a.m. and the program ends at 3 p.m. The fee is $5 for 4-H'ers and $7.50 for adults. This covers lunch and training materials and can be paid at the workshop.
Shane Kelton, Kent County Extension agent, will talk about swine facilities. Brandon Anderson, Stonewall County agent, will discuss selection. Childress County Agent Tim Trimble and a veterinarian will look at health care.

Brad Schnitker, Hall County agent, will lead a session on fitting a grooming -- working with two bigger pigs. Chuck Walton, Parker County agent, will cover leadership skills.
Although the small fee can be paid at the door on Sept. 6, those wanting to participate must register with their local county Extension Service office by this Friday.