Stink Bug Outbreak in Texas High Plains Cotton: What Can We Do Better Next Season?
Suhas Vyavhare and Katelyn Kowles, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Stink bug infestation in cotton during August-September Rotten bolls in stink bug infested field T his season we experienced unusually high numbers of conchuela stink bugs in Texas High Plains cotton (parts of eastern Lubbock and Crosby counties in particular). Stink bug numbers peaked during August-September when plants were loaded with tender bolls that stink bugs feed on with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. Farmers who spotted stink bugs early and took timely action are now reaping the benefits. However, those who missed an insecticide application in infested fields are seeing severe stink bug damage now that bolls have opened. A few infested fields we visited last week have very little to harvest due to the extent of boll damage by stink bugs. During August-September, stink bug numbers were overwhelmingly high in spots�in some fields numbers were over 2-3 stink bugs per boll. When stink bugs feed on...