Three fieldmen from central Alabama (Montgomery, Macon and Lee Coutnies) reported significant movement of adult tarnished plant bugs into cotton this week. Damage, in the form of pinhead square loss, was evident in all three locations. Square retention was below 70% in several fields. This square loss will likely become greater if controls are not applied since the plant bugs are relatively young and have several more days to do damage. Bidrin, Orthene (or generics), or Centric would provide the highest level of control. Pyrethroids would also provide an acceptable level of control. We need to set a high percent of early fruit in fields that have received moisture in the past few days.
