Cotton, often referred to as “White Gold” is one of the most important cash and fibre crop of India and plays a dominant role in agricultural and industrial economy of the country. India stands 1st in the world with cotton acreage with around 120.55 lakh hectares area under cotton cultivation. However, this valuable crop faces significant challenges from pests in cotton. India produces about 5.34 million metric tonnes which is 21% of world cotton production in the year 2021 – 22. India exports about 0.68 million metric tonnes i.e., 7% of world export in the year 2021 – 22. Cotton is used to produce a wide range of products, including clothing, textiles, and medical supplies. The cotton industry also provides employment opportunities to millions of people in India, both in the farming and manufacturing sectors.
Insect pests infesting cotton can cause significant damage to the crop, leading to lower yields and economic losses. Sucking pests, leaf feeders and bollworms cause serious damage to cotton crops which if not managed at right time would lead to 40 – 50% of crop loss.
Cultivated species of cotton: Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium herbaceum, Gossypium hirsutum, Gossypium barbadense
Insect Pests in Cotton
1. American Bollworm:
Scientific name of American Bollworm: Helicoverpa armigera
Damage stage of insect: Larva
Stage of occurrence: All stages
Symptoms of American Bollworm in cotton:
- Larva feeds on leaves, squares, flowers and small bolls
- Larva feeds on the leaves initially and later bore on to the square/boll by thrusting their head alone inside, leaving their rest of their body outside
- Affected bolls shows large, circular holes at the base with presence of excreted frass outside bore hole
- Single larva can damage 30 – 40 fruiting forms / bolls
- Shedding of affected squares and bolls
Favourable conditions for American Bollworm infestation in cotton:
Continuous cropping, monocropping, presence of crop debris, excessive use of nitrogenous fertilizers are some of the conditions favourable for American bollworm infestation.
ETL: 1 egg or 1 larva per plant
Management of American Bollworm in cotton:
| Product name | Technical content | Dosage (per lit water) |
| Mechanical Management | ||
| Tapas Helico – Cotton bollworm lure | Pheromone Lure | Funnel trap with Helio-O-lure – 6 per acre |
| Biological Management | ||
| Sun Bio Hanpv | Nuclear Polyhydrosis Virus 1 x 109 POB (Polyhedral Occluded Bodies) | 1 ml/lit water
|
| Vedagna Nobor (Bio insecticide) | Natural extracts | 2.5 to 3 ml/lit water |
| Delfin Insecticide | Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki | 1 gm/lit water |
| Control TRM Bio-pesticide | Organic blend of botanical extracts | 2 ml/lit water |
| Chemical Management | ||
| Benevia Insecticide | Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD | 1.5 ml/lit water |
| Cigna Insecticide | Lufenuron 5.4 % EC | 2 ml/lit water |
| Starclaim Insecticide | Emamectin benzoate 5% SG | 0.5 gm/lit water |
| Delegate insecticide | Spinetoram 11.7% SC | 0.9 – 1 ml/lit water |
| Plethora Insecticide | Novaluron 5.25% + Indoxacarb 4.5% SC | 2 ml/lit water |
| Rimon Insecticide | Novaluron 10 % EC | 2 ml/lit water |
| Fluton Insecticide | Flubendiamide 20% WG | 0.5 gm/lit water |
| Vesticor Insecticide | Chlorantraniliprole 18.5 % SC | 0.3 ml/lit water |
2. Pink Bollworm:
Scientific name of Pink Bollworm: Pectinophoro gossypiella
Damage stage of insect: Larva
Stage of occurrence: Crop mid stage to end of the crop stage
Symptoms of Pink Bollworm in cotton:
- Larvae feeds on flower buds, flowers and bore into cotton bolls
- Typical symptom of pink bollworm attack is “Rosetted flowers”
- Larvae feeds on floral parts and the affected flowers do not open i.e blind flowers
- The burrowed holes are plugged by excreta of larvae due to their feeding inside seed kernels
- It bores into bolls, through the lint and feeds on the cotton seeds
- Premature dropping of infested buds and immature bolls
- Seeds are destroyed and lint gets discoloured
Favourable conditions for Pink Bollworm infestation in cotton:
Frequent irrigation, high fertilizer application, monocropping, non-synchronization in sowing time in nearby field and delayed agronomic practices are some favourable conditions for pink bollworm infestation.
ETL: 10% of damaged flowers or bolls
Management of Pink Bollworm in cotton:
| Product name | Technical content | Dosage (per lit water) |
| Mechanical Management | ||
| Tapas Pink Bollworm Lure | Pheromone lure | Funnel trap with Gulabi fly lure at 6/acre |
| Biological Management | ||
| Amruth Organic Almid Liquid | Metarhizium anisopliae | 2 ml/lit water |
| Multiplex Metarhizium | Metarhizium anisopliae | 1 ml/lit water |
| Katyayani Organic Larvicide | Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki | 10 ml/lit water |
| Chemical Management | ||
| Proclaim Insecticide | Emamectin Benzonate 5%SG | 0.4 gm/lit water |
| Nagata Insecticide | Ethion 40% + Cypermethrin 5% EC | 2.5 ml/ lit water |
| Ampligo | Chlorantraniliprole (10 %) + Lambdacyhalothrin (5%) ZC | 0.5 ml/lit water |
| Tracer Insecticide | Spinosad 44.03% SC | 0.5 ml/lit water |
| Greenovate Miyogi Insecticide | Chlorpyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC | 2 ml/lit water |
| Kemcron Insecticide | Profenophos 50 % EC | 1.5-2 ml/lit water |
3. Tobacco Caterpillar
Scientific name of Tobacco Caterpillar: Spodoptera litura
Damage stage of insect: Larva
Stage of occurrence: Occurs throughout the crop period
Symptoms of Tobacco Caterpillar:
- Larva feeds gregariously on the leaves and skeletonize them leaving only the veins and midrib
- Skeletonization results in ‘Papery appearance’ of leaves
- Larva feeds on the leaves and bolls by making holes leading to defoliation of leaves and shedding of bolls
- In case of severe infestation, only stem and side shoots can be seen standing in the field without any leaf or bolls
Favourable conditions for Tobacco Caterpillar infestation in cotton :
Warm and humid climate, late sowing, monocropping, poor irrigation management and lack of natural predators can create favourable conditions for tobacco caterpillar infestation.
ETL: 8 egg masses per 100-meter row
Management of Tobacco Caterpillar infestation in cotton:
| Product name | Technical content | Dosage (per lit water) |
| Mechanical Management | ||
| Tapas Tobacco Caterpillar Lure | Pheromone lure | Funnel trap with Spodo-O-lure at 6/acre |
| Biological Management | ||
| Terra Pillar (Bio insecticide) | Herbal formulation of Annona squamosa, Citus limon, Neem oil and Piper nigrum | 50 ml per 15 lit water |
| All Bata Royal Larvend (Bio Larvicide) | Plant derived solution
|
2 ml/lit water |
| Sun Bio SLNPV (Bio insecticide) | Spodoptera litura Nuclear Polyhydrosis Virus 1 x 109 POB (Polyhedral Occluded Bodies) | 1 ml/lit water |
| Delfin Insecticide | Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki | 1 gm/lit water |
| Chemical Management | ||
| Benevia Insecticide | Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD | 1.5 ml/lit water |
| Katyayani Chakrawarti | Thiamethoxam 12.6% + Lambda cyhalothrin 9.5% ZC | 0.4 ml/lit water |
| Largo Insecticide | Spinetoram 11.7% SC | 0.9 ml/lit water |
| Fluton Insecticide | Flubendiamide 20% WG | 0.5 gm/lit water |
| Godrej Gracia Insecticide | Fluxametamide 10% EC | 0.8 ml/lit water |
| Starclaim Insecticide | Emamectin benzoate 5% SG | 0.5 gm/lit water |
| Keefun Insecticide | Tolfenpyrad 15% EC | 2 ml/lit water |
4. Spotted Bollworm
Scientific name of Spotted Bollworm: Earias vittella & E.insulana
Damage stage of insect: Larva
Stage of occurrence: Pre-flowering to boll formation stage
Symptoms of Spotted Bollworm in cotton:
- Pest infestation during pre-flowering stage causes withering, drying and drooping of terminal shoots
- Larva feeds on squares and bolls by making holes and destroys the boll by eating the seeds and filling them with excrement (rotting)
- Causes flaring up of bracts
- Shedding of affected squares and young bolls
Favourable conditions for Spotted Bollworm infestation in cotton:
High temperature (20-30°C), heavy rainfall, late planting and lack of crop rotation can create favourable conditions for spotted bollworm infestation in cotton plants.
ETL: 10% infested shoots or squares or bolls
Management of Spotted Bollworm in cotton:
| Product name | Technical content | Dosage (per lit water) |
| Biological Management | ||
| Multiplex Metarhizium | Metarhizium anisopliae | 1 ml/lit water |
| Katyayani Organic Larvicide | Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki Bio Larvicide | 10 ml/lit water |
| Chemical Management | ||
| Starthane Super Insecticide | Acephate 75% SP | 1.75-2.5ml/lit water |
| Kri-Star 5 Insecticide | Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG | 0.2 – 0.4 gm/lit water |
| Delegate Insecticide | Spinetoram 11.7% SC | 0.9 – 1 ml/lit water |
| Cover Insecticide | Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC | 0.3 ml/lit water |
| Koranda Insecticide | Chlorpyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC | 250-300 ml water |
| Nagata Insecticide | Ethion 40% + Cypermethrin 5% EC | 2.5 ml/lit water |
| Profex Super Insecticide | Profenophos 40% + Cypermethrin 4% EC | 1 – 3 ml/lit water |
5. Cotton Aphids
Scientific name of Cotton Aphid: Aphis gossypii
Damage stage of insect: Nymph and adult
Stage of occurrence: Early growth stages
Symptoms of Cotton Aphids:
- Tender shoots and undersurface of the leaves are mostly infested
- Downward curling and crinkling appearance of leaves
- They suck the sap and causes stunted growth
- Development of sooty mould due to honeydew secretion giving a dark appearance to plants
- In case of severe infestation, it causes blighted appearance resulting in death of the plants.
Favourable conditions for Cotton Aphids infestation:
Presence of host plants, high temperature and high humidity, high nitrogen fertilization, dense planting, insufficient moisture levels in the soil and lack of natural enemies like ladybird beetle and lacewings are some of the favourable conditions for high cotton aphids’ infestation.
ETL: 5% of infested plant
6. Leafhopper / Jassids
Scientific name of Leafhopper/Jassids: Amrasca (biguttula biguttula) devastans
Damage stage of insect: Nymph and adult
Stage of occurrence: All stages of crop but predominantly in seedling stage
Symptoms of Leafhopper / Jassids in cotton :
- Nymphs and adults suck the sap from undersurface of the leaves causing yellowing of leaves
- Downward curling of leaves margin and reddening sets in
- In case of severe infestation, affected leaves turn bronze or brick red in colour, typically showing “Hopper burn” symptom
- Leads to stunted growth of the crop
Favourable conditions for Jassids infestation in cotton:
Some of the conditions which favours leafhopper infestation includes late sowing, hot and dry weather conditions, imbalanced use of nitrogen fertilizers and insufficient moisture in the field.
ETL: 1 nymph / adult per leaf or 25% of plants in the field showing yellowing and curling symptom from the middle to upper portion of the plant
Management of Jassids and Cotton Aphids:
| Product Name | Technical Content | Dosage (per lit water) |
| Mechanical Management | ||
| Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap | 11 cm x 28 cm | 4 – 6/acre |
| Biological Management | ||
| Amruth Alestra Liquid | Verticillium lecanii | 2 ml/lit water |
| Econeem Plus Biopesticide | Azadiractin 10000 ppm | 325-480 ml water |
| Chemical Management | ||
| Battalion Insecticide | Thiamethoxam 25% WG | 0.5gm/lit water |
| Katyayani IMD – 178 | Imidacloprid 17.8 % SL | 0.25 ml/lit water |
| Ulala Insecticide | Flonicamid 50 WG | 0.4 gm/lit water |
| Pager Insecticide | Diafenthiuron 50% WP | 1 gm/lit water |
| Hifield AG Pyramid Insecticide | Acetamaprid 20% SP | 0.5gm/lit water |
| Osheen Insecticide | Dinotefuran 20 % SG | 0.6 – 0.8 gm/lit water |
| Ulala Insecticide | Flonicamid 50 WG | 0.3 – 0.4 gm/lit water |
To know more about Jassids – Easy & cost-effective ways to control Leaf Hoppers in Cotton Crops
7. Thrips
Scientific name of Thrips: Thrips tabaci
Damage stage of insect : Nymph and adult
Stage of occurrence: Vegetative stage
Symptoms of Thrips in Cotton:
- Nymph and adult scrap the tissue and suck the sap from the epidermis of the leaves
- This causes shriveling and curling up of leaves
- Silvery shine can be seen on the undersurface of the leaves
- This pest also as a vector of ‘Tobacco Streak Virus’ in cotton
Favourable conditions for Thrips infestation in cotton:
High temperature of about 25 – 30°C, excessive moisture in the soil, early planting, high dose of nitrogen fertilizer application and presence of alternate hosts are some of the favourable conditions for incidence of thrips infestation in cotton field.
ETL: 1 nymph / adult per leaf
Management of Thrips in cotton:
| Product name | Technical content | Dosage (per lit water) |
| Mechanical Management | ||
| Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap | 22 cm x 28 cm | 6 – 8/acre |
| Biological Management | ||
| Pesto Raze Bio-insecticide | Botanical Extracts | 2 ml/lit water |
| Control TRM Bio-pesticide | Organic blend of botanical extracts | 2 ml/lit water |
| Econeem Plus | Azadiractin 10000 ppm | 2 ml/lit water |
| Chemical Management | ||
| Summit Insecticide | Spinetoram 11.7 % SC | 0.5- 1ml/lit water |
| Admire Insecticide | Imidacloprid 70% WG | 0.3 gm/lit water |
| Karate Insecticide | Lambdacyhalothrin 5% EC | 1.5 ml/lit water |
| Nurelle D Insecticide | Chlorpyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC | 2 ml/lit water |
| Katyayani Thioxam | Thiamethoxam 25% WG | 0.4 gm/lit water |
| Shinzen Plus Insecticide | Fipronil 5 % SC | 3 gm/lit water |
| Osheen Insecticide | Dinotefuran 20 % SG | 0.6 – 0.8 gm/lit water |
| Marshal Insecticide | Carbosulfan 25% EC | 2.5 ml/lit water |
8. Whitefly
Scientific name of Whitefly: Bemisia tabaci
Damage stage of insect: Nymph and adult
Stage of occurrence: All crop stages
Symptoms of Whitefly in cotton:
- Irregular yellowing (Chlorotic spots) of leaf tissue
- Severe infestation leads to premature defoliation
- Development of sooty mould due to honeydew secretion
- It causes poor boll opening and shedding of affected buds and bolls
- It transmits “Leaf curl virus” disease in cotton
Favourable conditions for Whitefly infestation in cotton:
High temperature (27 – 32°C), High humidity, lack of natural enemies, presence of alternate host Abutilon indicum, Solanum nigrum and Hibiscus, late sowing, imbalance fertilizer application can increase the chance of whitefly infestation in cotton.
ETL: 5 – 10 nymph/leaf
Management of Whitefly in cotton:
| Product Name | Technical Content | Dosage (per lit water) |
| Mechanical Management | ||
| Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap | 11 cm x 28 cm | 4 – 6/acre |
| Biological Management | ||
| Amruth Alestra Liquid | Verticillium lecanii | 2 ml/lit water |
| T.Stanes Nimbecidine | Azardiractin 300 PPM (EC formulation) | 5 ml/lit water |
| Chemical Management | ||
| Karate Insecticide | Lambdacyhalothrin 5% EC | 1.5 ml/lit water |
| Lancer Gold Insecticide | Acephate 50 % + Imidacloprid 1.8 % SP | 0.4 ml/lit water |
| Greenovate Miyogi | Chlorpyrifos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC | 2 ml/lit water |
| Tychi Insecticide | Tolfenpyrad 15% EC | 2 ml/lit water |
| Oberon Insecticide | Spiromesifen 22.9 % SC | 0.3 ml/lit water |
| Pager Insecticide | Diafenthiuron 50% WP | 1.2 gm/lit water |
| Ulala Insecticide | Flonicamid 50 WG | 0.3 gm/lit water |
| Actara Insecticide | Thiamethoxam 25 % WG | 0.5 gm/lit water |
| Tatamida SL Insecticide | Imidacloprid 17.8% SL | 1-2ml/lit water |
| Kaitaku Insecticide | Acetamiprid 20 % SP | 0.1 – 0.2 ml/lit |
9. Mealybug
Scientific name of mealybug: Phenacoccus solan
Damage stage of insect: Nymph and Female adult
Stage of occurrence: All crop stages but predominant during vegetative and early flowering stage
Symptoms of Mealybug in cotton:
- White fluffy mass of mealybugs can be seen on the underside of the leaves, near growing tips and stems with waxy secretions
- Plants infested during vegetative stage shows distorted or bushy shoots and crinkled or twisted bunchy leaves
- Affects the growing parts leading to under developed flowers producing small deformed bolls
- Presence of honeydew secretion which causes black sooty mould development
- Affected plants appear sick and black showing burnt appearance
Favourable conditions for Mealybug infestation in cotton:
Presence of alternate host, warm and humid climate, uncleaned equipment or tools, imbalanced fertilizer usage, lack of crop rotation, flooded conditions, presence of ants and lack of field sanitation favours mealybug infestation in cotton.
ETL: 3 – 4 Nos/leaf
Management of Mealybug in cotton:
| Product Name | Technical Content | Dosage (per lit water) |
| Mechanical Management | ||
| Tapas Yellow Sticky Trap | 11 cm x 28 cm | 4 – 6/acre |
| Biological Management | ||
| Amruth Alestra Liquid | Verticillium lecanii | 2 ml/lit water |
| Kaybee Mealy Raze (Bio Pesticide) | Natural Extracts | 2 ml/lit water |
| Control TRM Bio-pesticide | Organic blend of botanical extracts | 2 ml/lit water |
| Chemical Management | ||
| Sivanto Bayer Insecticide | Flupyradifurone | 2 ml/lit water |
| Cropnosys Chivas Insecticide Granules | Thiamethoxam 25 % WG | 0.3-0.5 gm water |
| Hunk Insecticide | Acephate 95% SG | 1-1.5gm/lit water |
| Confidor Insecticide | Imidacloprid 200 SL (17.8 % w/w) | 0.75 to 1 ml/lit water |
| Hifield AG Pyramid Insecticide | Acetamaprid 20% SP | 0.5gm/lit water |
| Token Insecticide | Dinotefuran 20% SG | 0.2 – 0.3 gm/lit water |
| Curacron Insecticide | Profenofos 50% EC | 4 ml/lit water |
10. Mites:
Scientific names of Mite:
- Red Spider Mite – Tetranychus neocaledonicus
- Wolly Mite – Aceria gossypii
- Yellow Mite/Broad Mite – Polyphagotarsonemus latus
Damage stage of insect: Nymph and adults
Stage of occurrence: All crop stages
Symptoms of Mites in cotton:
- Fine webbings can be seen on the undersurface of the leaves
- Mites puncture the leaf tissues from under surface and feed on the sap
- Removal of plant sap with chlorophyll and other pigments results in reddish bronze discolouration on the leaves (Red spider mite)
- Presence of whitish hair arising on both surface of leaf (Wolly mite)
- Leaf turn upward, become brittle and results in stunted growth (Yellow mite)
- Causes withering and shedding of affected leaves
Favourable conditions for Mite infestation in cotton:
High temperature and low humidity level, lack of field sanitation, dusty conditions in the field and water stress conditions i.e., over-irrigation or under-irrigation can increase the chances of Mite infestation.
ETL: 10 mites per sq meter
Management of Mites in cotton:
| Product name | Technical content | Dosage (per lit water) |
| Biological Management | ||
| Control TRM Bio-pesticide | Organic blend of botanical extracts | Foliar: 1.5 to 2ml/lit water |
| Royal Clear Mite | 100% derived from plant extracts | 2 ml/lit water |
| R Mite Bio Acaricide | Plant extracts | 1 – 2 ml/ lit water |
| PerfoMite | Phyto-extracts – 30%, Enzyme extracts – 5%, Chitin Dissolvers | 2 ml / 1 lit water |
| Chemical Management | ||
| Oberon Insecticide | Spiromesifen 22.9% SC | 0.3 ml /lit water |
| Abacin Insecticide | Abamectin 1.9% EC | 0.7 ml /lit water |
| Maiden Insecticide | Hexythiazox 5.45% EC | 1 ml /lit water |
| Intrepid insecticide | Chlorfenapyr 10% SC | 2 ml/lit water |
| Danitol Insecticide | Fenpropathrin 10% EC | 1.5 ml/lit water |
| MIT Plus Insecticide | Ethion 40%+ Cypermethrin 5% EC | 2.5 ml/lit water |
11. Red cotton bug
Scientific name of Red cotton Bug: Dysdercus cingulatus
Damage stage of insect: Nymph and adult
Stage of occurrence: Reproductive stage
Symptoms of Red cotton bug in cotton:
- Nymph and adults suck the sap of the plant as well as the bolls
- It causes red stains on the lint and hence called as ‘cotton boll stainers’
- Inner boll wall have water-soaked spots and leads to rotting of bolls
- Affected seeds loses viability
- Staining of fibre at the site of injury is due to entry of the bacterium Nematospora gossypii
Favourable conditions for Red cotton bug in cotton:
Late planting, high temperature of above 27°C, drought stress, weed source, previous crop’s residues or presence of mulches and lack of natural enemieslike spiders and ants create conditions for red cotton bug infestation.
ETL: 10 – 15 bugs/100 plants or per m2 area
Management of Red cotton bug in cotton:
| Product Name | Technical content | Dosage (per lit water) |
| Biological Management | ||
| Greenpeace Neemol (10000 PPM) Bio Neem Oil Insecticide | Neem Oil extracts (Azardiractin) | 1-2 ml/lit water |
| Chemical Management | ||
| Benevia Insecticide | Cyantraniliprole 10.26% OD | 1.5 ml/lit water |
| Asataf Insecticide | Acephate 75% SP | 1-1.5gm/lit water |
| Anant Insecticide | Thiamethoxam 25 % WG | 0.3 – 0.5 gm /lit water |
| Anshul Chlocip | Chlorpyriphos 50% + Cypermethrin 5% EC | 2ml/lit water |
NOTE:
- Economic Threshold Level (ETL) – It is the population density at which the control measures need to be determined to prevent the increasing pest population
- By checking the ETL level in the field, the above mentioned pest management approaches can be taken up to control the pest, to reduce the risk of infestation and to minimize the crop loss in the future.
- However, following the preventive measures are in the first place to reduce the potential risk
- Check the product’s description for finding the right time of insecticide application.
