Cotton Aphids

Seeing some cotton aphids lately? They typically show up in cotton when insecticides targeting other pests remove natural enemies that keep aphid populations under control. Cotton aphids are also more common in later planted fields. Small numbers of aphids are not a bad thing! They will attract beneficials to the crop that will in turn feed on other pests such as bollworms.

Sometimes, however, the infestations can get quite large and their feeding will rob the plant of the nutrients it needs for boll development. The other issue we encounter is their honeydew, a sugary substance secreted by aphids after they feed on plant sap. The honeydew can get into open bolls and cause sticky cotton, which greatly reduces the quality.

Our cotton entomologist, Dr. Suhas Vyavhare, has put together a fact sheet on cotton aphids and their management. Click here to check it out!