Monitoring Cotton Aphid and Tarnished Plant Bug Susceptibility to Neonicotinoids and Sulfoxaflor In the Mid-South

Cotton producers have relied heavily on the neonicotinoid insecticides (thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, and acetamiprid) in recent years to manage tarnished plant bugs and cotton aphids.  Results will be presented that highlight programs that monitor cotton aphid and tarnished plant bug susceptibility to the neonicotinoids.  Cotton aphid, has shown a dramatic decrease in susceptibility to the neonicotinoids and they are becomming less reliable as an effective control option.  The neonicotinoids still remain an important component of tarnished plant bug management in mid-South cotton.  In response to the concerns with neonicotinoids, bioassays have been conducted with sulfoxaflor (Transform WG), a novel insecticide that will soon be registered, to establish baseline information. Results of these bioassays will be discussed.