Planting Date and Susceptibility to Pink Bollworm

The susceptibility of cotton to spring emergence of pink bollworm (PBW) was evaluated for a variety of planting dates in Pinal, Maricopa, LaPaz and Yuma counties using historical climate records and heat- unit-based models that predict PBW emergence and cotton development. Early planted cotton proved most susceptible to the PBW emergence, however, springtime weather conditions also played an important role in determining overall susceptibility. Growers wishing to incorporate planting date as one aspect of PBW management should keep abreast of early season weather conditions