Lygus (hesperus) and aphid (aphis gossypii) control in cotton

Abstract

Several insecticides were evaluated over a two-year period for control of lygus bugs (hesperus). The studies were conducted near Visalia and Earlimart, California. Prior to the insecticide application, there were 10 lygus (adults and nymphs combined) per 50 sweeps in 1997 and 14 lygus (adults and nymphs combined) per 50 sweeps in 1998 in trials. Pyrethroid treatments and Vydate gave the most effect control of lygus bugs in 1997 and 1998. A trace amount of aphids were present at the time of applications. In both years cotton aphid population increased the most following pyrethroid applications and were lowest following Provado applications. Most treatments reduced beneficial insects for 7 days but came back in 14 days.