Evaluation of Neonicotinoid Insecticides As an Alternative for Aldicarb for Early-Season Cotton Insect Pest Management in Louisiana

During 2012-2013 in Louisiana, four field trials evaluated the efficacy of neonicotinoid insecticides and aldicarb being applied as an in-furrow.  Thrips counts were collected by sampling 10 whole plants from each plot at the two and four true leaf growth stage in each test.  Thiamethoxam and imidacloprid were comparable to aldicarb in the number of thrips present and insect damage to plants.  No treatment was statistically superior to the yields of the aldicarb plots.  Thrips species composition was made up of approximately 50% Western Flower thrips and 50% Tobacco thrips.  Normal agronomic practices and thresholds set by the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service were followed after targeted insects were sampled.  Yield was collected from the middle two rows of each plot.