Where practical, land preparation no later than April will allow producers to have fields ready for planting during the preferred planting period. Plant to assure an adequate and uniform stand. Cotton aphid numbers are generally higher in fields with skippy stands and in cotton planted in a skip-row pattern. Avoid excessive nitrogen levels by fertilizing based on a soil test. Fertilizing based on soil tests and realistic yield goals will avoid cotton with high nitrogen levels.
Aphid numbers are higher on plants with higher nitrogen levels.
Additionally, aphids on plants with high nitrogen levels are less susceptible to aphicides. Early Season Aphids in pre-blooming cotton, from emergence to first bloom, rarely develop to economically damaging levels . These aphids are an important food source for natural enemies such as lady beetles and parasites. Insecticide treatments for aphids in pre-blooming cotton should be avoided if possible. Repeated use of the same insecticide chemistry can reduce aphid response to similar insecticides later in the season.