News from the Beltwide Cotton Conference held Jan. 9-13 in Anaheim, CA
Boll Weevil Most Damaging Insect The most damaging pest for cotton producers in 2000 was the boll weevil, followed by the beet armyworm and the bollworm/budworm complex.
That's according to a report issued by Michael Williams, Mississippi State University extension specialist.
The report says losses reached 2.6 million (480-lb) bales worth about $1.657 billion. Texas sustained the biggest losses, largely due to a severe beet armyworm attack.
"All insects combined across the U.S. reduced yields by 9.2%," the report states. "Average costs for insect management in the U.S. were $61.91/acre. When cost and loss are combined, the amount is $116.28/acre."
Roughly 41.2 million acres were infected by the pests, it adds.
