Author Archives: Stephen Biles

Squaring Cotton and the Cotton Fleahopper

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Most of the cotton in the Mid-Coast of Texas is squaring. During the squaring period, the primary insect pest of cotton in South Texas is the cotton fleahopper. This insect can cause small square abscission. The fruit loss can reduce yield and delay crop maturity. The cotton fleahopper adult is about 1/8 inch long, with piercing-sucking mouthparts and a flattened body (Fig. 16). Adults are active flyers; they readily flit within the cotton canopy when disturbed, which makes insect sampling a challenge. Their eggs are not visible because… Read More →

Corn Leaf Aphids in Corn

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A couple of weeks ago, Corn Leaf Aphids were found in corn fields in Calhoun and Jackson counties.  Field populations ranged from 1-3% infested plants to 40% infested plants and infested plants had 1,000-3,000 aphids per leaf in the top three leaves on the plant. Most fields were already tasseling and silking but some were pre-tassel. By the time I saw them in the field (May 2), there was already 10-20% parasitized aphid mummies and large lady beetle larvae of at least two lady beetle species. A research… Read More →

Proposed changes to Acephate insecticide labels

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The EPA is proposing changes to the labeled uses of Acephate. These changes include “The proposed mitigation is to cancel all uses except tree injection…” Growers and other stakeholders are encouraged to comment to identify critical uses of acephate. Acephate, Proposed Interim Decision FR Notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2024-09181 Docket: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0915 PID: https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0915-0069 See more here:  20240509_PID Summary for Core Group and IPM Centers.

Squaring Cotton and Herbicide Damage

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Cotton maturity ranges from cotyledon to 1/2-grown square. Some fields need to be scouted for thrips, while others are beyond the thrips damage window and need to be checked for cotton fleahopper. Seedling cotton should be monitored for thrips until 5 or 6 true leaves are on the plants. I usually think the growing conditions in late April are good enough to overcome thrips feeding, but some fields have high numbers of thrips that are causing significant damage. Thrips are slender, straw-colored insects about 1/15 inch long, with… Read More →

March Temperatures and Planting

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A lot of cotton acres have already been planted and more are going in by the day. Extension recommendations for cotton planting have been the same for a long time.  Soil temps above 60F for several days and a warm 5-10 day forecast. The other primary factor being considered is soil moisture. Many fields are getting dry in the seed zone and the next rain event looks like it may be next weekend at the earliest. The critical minimum temperature for cotton growth is 60 degrees F.  We… Read More →