Crop development stage |
Pest |
Damage/symptoms caused |
Control strategy |
Comment |
Vegetative growth |
Aphids
|
Leaf curling. With heavy infestation a black sooty covering of the leaves and stem will appear as a result of the honey due produced by the insects. |
Seed treatment with Cruiser 350FS at 300g/100kg seed |
Seed treatment with Cruiser 350 FS gives the crop a healthy start enabling it to withstand pest attack even if their numbers may not be noticeable. Cruiser 350 FS will give up 6 weeks protection to the young plant |
| |
Jassids
|
Leaf curling downwards and yellowing starting from the leaf margins |
Seed treatment with Cruiser at 300g/100kg seed |
|
Flowering and early boll formation |
Aphids |
Appearance of greasy black sooty material covering the leaves and stem. |
Apply Fenom Plus at 625mls/ha |
Aphid attack at this time will result in reduction in cotton quality |
| |
Bollworms
|
 Abortion of flowers called flared squares. Attacked immature bolls drop off.
|
Apply Polytrin Ka orFenom Plus at 625mls/ha or Karate 5EC at 400mls/ha. Repeat application at two weeks interval |
Heavy infestations may result in total loss of the crop |
| |
Mature bolls |
Cotton strainers
|
Apply Polytrin Ka or Fenom Plus at 625mls/ha.
|
Staining of cotton lint resulting in reduced quality |
