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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Maricopa, Arizona » U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center » Pest Management and Biocontrol Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #283777
Title: In 7 Minutes or Less!

Author
item ELLSWORTH, PETER - University Of Arizona
item BROWN, LYDIA - University Of Arizona
item CASTRO, GILBERTO - University Of Arizona
item Naranjo, Steven

Submitted to: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/2/2012
Publication Date: 7/2/2012
Citation: Ellsworth, P., Brown, L., Castro, G., Naranjo, S.E. 2012. In 7 Minutes or Less!. Extension Fact Sheets. 7/2012.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton is a major crop in Arizona and is affected by multiple insect pests. A highly effective and economically efficient integrated pest management program has been developed for the major pests of cotton. The program utilizes sampling to determine the abundance of pest insects in the field and economic thresholds that determine when insect abundance is high enough to warrant some sort of control action. This short extension circular describes a simple and efficient sampling and decision aid protocol for management of sweetpotato whitefly that can be completed in less than seven minutes by a grower, pest control advisor or scout. It is based on careful research studies to understand the distribution of whiteflies on the cotton plant that permits accurate information to be collected in a brief period of time. The sampling protocol is then connected to threshold levels, also established through careful research, to provide cotton growers with a simple tool to determine pest control needs.

Technical Abstract: Cotton is a major crop in Arizona and is affected by multiple insect pests. A highly effective and economically efficient integrated pest management program has been developed for the major pests of cotton. The program utilizes sampling to determine the abundance of pest insects in the field and economic thresholds that determine when insect abundance is high enough to warrant some sort of control action. This short extension circular describes a simple and efficient sampling and decision aid protocol for management of sweetpotato whitefly that can be completed in less than seven minutes by a grower, pest control advisor or scout. It is based on careful research studies to understand the distribution of whiteflies on the cotton plant that permits accurate information to be collected in a brief period of time. The sampling protocol is then connected to threshold levels, also established through careful research, to provide cotton growers with a simple tool to determine pest control needs.