The plant bug population in cotton is spiking, and growers may need to make more than 1 foliar insecticide application to keep numbers in check. Pest Patrol entomologist Dr. Gus Lorenz provides management recommendations in his latest update.

“Plant bugs” refer to a group of cotton insects that include the tarnished plant bug, western tarnished plant bug, cotton fleahopper, clouded plant bug and the verde plant bug. Plant bugs have a piercing, sucking mouth and damage cotton crops before it blooms by feeding in tender terminals and small squares. Their needle-like mouthparts cause the squares to abort. University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension System reports that tarnished plant bugs primarily feed on terminals and squares, while clouded plant bugs can also feed on flowers, leaves and bolls.

Centric® foliar insecticide and Endigo® ZC insecticide can help cotton growers control plant bugs and the subsequent damage. Centric provides fast-acting, long-lasting control of yield-robbing pests such as plant bugs. As an effective rotational product for insect resistance management, Centric consistently controls target insects in both Bt and conventional cotton. Endigo ZC combines 3 industry-leading technologies for quick knockdown and extended residual control, resulting in higher potential yield.

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