Obviously, the drought has contributed to early cutout in dryland situations, but there were questions concerning early cutout in irrigated fields. Early cutout in irrigated fields may be due to several factors, but most likely moisture and temperature stress, in addition to a good early fruit set, have played a part. Insect pressure continues to be relatively light in most areas but sporadic problems have been observed in some fields. In most areas, a mixed population of tobacco budworm and corn earworm moths are being observed. Low populations of fall armyworm have been reported in southwest Georgia.
Beet armyworm is sporadic but some late planted cotton has required treatment.
Stink bugs are also more numerous in some late planted fields that I have visited. Aphids have crashed in many areas due to the naturally occurring fungus. Predator numbers remain high in most fields. Scouts should be observant of moths in the field because this will give some idea of which is the predominant species. TBW has a tooth-like projection or retinaculum.