By Clint Thompson
Georgia’s cotton producers should be on high alert for stinkbug pressure. Infestations could wreak havoc on the state’s crop.
Phillip Roberts, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cotton entomologist, cautioned growers at the recent Georgia Cotton Commission meeting about the insect’s lingering presence in cotton fields.
“As we enter bloom, stinkbugs and other boll-feeding bugs become a primary pest. We want to remind growers especially as they enter that third week of bloom, that’s when we really need to be on top of stinkbug management. Make sure we’re scouting and making good, timely decisions,” Roberts said. “An individual boll is susceptible to stinkbugs until that boll is 25 days of age.
“One of the things we’re going to be faced with is maybe having to protect this crop a little longer than a normal crop. Again, that’s going to be a decision growers make; they find that last harvestable boll that really contributes to yield. Make sure you protect it for about 25 days after bloom.”
Producers have adequate insecticide options for managing stinkbugs. They should be diligent in scouting and know what species is currently infecting their fields. That will correlate to the right chemical sprays needed for control.
“We have really good options treating stinkbugs. We do need to pay attention to what species we have out there, whether it’s green ones or brown ones and just select the most appropriate insecticide,” Roberts said.