Growing bollworm populations could be a ‘budget buster’ for Arkansas cotton growers

By Sarah Cato
U of A System Division of Agriculture
July 20, 2018 

Fast facts:

• 2018 seeing extensive bollworm pressure
• South and south-central Arkansas should be concerned
• Management options found here: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/mp144/mp144.pdf 

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LONOKE, Ark. – Worries over growing bollworm populations are amplified by possible resistance to dual gene technology. 

“The bollworm pressure is decidedly higher than what we’ve seen in the last couple years,” said Gus Lorenz, extension entomologist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “We’re seeing an extremely high number of eggs and moths in cotton fields. We’re kicking up hundreds and hundreds of moths in fields.” 

The flights have been merciless this growing season, without much of a break. 

“Flights have continued since June and haven’t let up,” Lorenz said. “We call these rolling populations, they just keep coming.”  

Although only certain areas of Arkansas are currently affected, that could change. 

“Some parts of the state aren’t having this problem,” Lorenz said. “We’re seeing this in the south and central part of Arkansas and along the Louisiana line. But we’re seeing indications that it will roll up to north central and possibly north east Arkansas.” 

Lorenz’s biggest concern with this year’s bollworm pressure is the resistance to dual gene cotton recent data has shown. 

“Our concern is where we documented last year is the developing resistance to dual gene cotton,” Lorenz said. “We’re seeing more eggs and larvae developing in dual gene cotton, and it’s got us on edge.” 

Dual gene technology refers to cotton varieties that have two Bt genes, which are used to protect against multiple insect pests, including bollworm. 

Lorenz is alerting growers that not controlling these tremendous bollworm populations in cotton will be detrimental to the success of their crop. 

When Bt genes are failing to control bollworm populations, an egg threshold of 25 percent is generally used, meaning producers should treat when 25 percent of plants have eggs in terminals or bloom tags. However, some Arkansas cotton fields are seeing numbers well beyond that. 

“We’re not just seeing 25 percent or 40 percent, we’re talking about multiple eggs per plant,” he said. “Growers are going to see resulting damage and how they manage this is going to make a difference. 

Control options

As far as management practices go, many Arkansas cotton producers have already taken control measures, but they’re getting hit again. 

“There are a lot of concerned growers that made an application seven to ten days ago of a diamide, like Prevathon or Besiege, to get the bollworms under control, but now there’s a new flight,” Lorenz said. 

Although there is a growing concern for the damage these pests can cause, Lorenz warns against going overboard with treatment applications. 

“We’re advising growers to give it two weeks before making a second application of a diamide,” he said. “Usually residual control will last at least two weeks, maybe more. Those products are extremely expensive and I can’t see making a second application this soon. That could be a budget buster.” 

There are more control options that will allow cotton producers to avoid making a second diamide application too soon.

“In the meantime, use a pyrethroid plus acephate and try to knock down those high numbers in those areas,” Lorenz said. “These applications can knock down those moth populations.” 

Arkansas cotton producers are at risk with these current bollworm numbers, and Lorenz is warning everyone to scout their fields.

“Be diligent because this is a very critical time for cotton and soybeans,” Lorenz said. “Scout and scout hard. In the immediate future we will continue to see the development of bollworm populations.” 

For more information on insect pest management, download MP144 “Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas,” at https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/pdf/mp144/mp144.pdf. 

Mention of commercial names do not imply endorsement by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system. 

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.  

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. 

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Media Contact: Ryan McGeeney
Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu