Management Of Insect Pests In Cotton

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.