Cotton planting in the High Plains is in full swing, and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service warns farmers to be on the lookout for thrips.
Thrips control is crucial in the first two weeks after plants start emerging, said Dr. Ed Bynum, AgriLife Extension entomologist in Amarillo.
Thrips will usually feed on the new terminal growth on the underside of the leaves, which will cause the plant to be stunted and eventually die, he said.
The pests tend to be more damaging to the plants in cool, wet conditions.
“With the cold fronts moving through our area ever so often this spring, we may need a reminder about thrips control in seedling cotton,” Bynum said. “Damage by the thrips occurs from seedling emergence up to the fifth true leaf stage. But the most critical period for control is the first two weeks post-emergence.”
To protect the crop, Extension specialists recommend using insecticide seed treatments.
Bynum suggested Aeris, Avicta, Acceleron, Poncho/Votivo or Cruiser packages, because they can last 18-21 days after planting.
When immature thrips are found surviving on cotton leaves, it’s a good indication control is declining. Bynum noted that a foliar application is needed if 30 percent of the thrips found are immatures.