Normally, the fungal disease develops more quickly in this rebounding aphid population and provides effective control. However, building aphid populations should be monitored closely in fields with open bolls, because honeydew produced by the aphids can cause sticky lint. Because the fungal disease usually controls late season aphid outbreaks, this is not normally a problem in Mississippi, but the potential for this problem does exist. Adult dragonflies locate their prey by sight and capture it on the wing. They are general feeders that primarily attack flies, bees, wasps, and moths.
Many species prey heavily on adult mosquitoes.
Several species of dragonflies can be found in and around cotton fields and many of the larger species have been observed capturing budworm and bollworm moths as well as other types of moths. It's difficult to determine the impact of dragonfly predation on pest caterpillar populations. Every female moth that is captured before having a chance to lay eggs represents several hundred fewer eggs that will be deposited in the field, and these large dragonfly species can sometimes occur in high numbers. Immature dragonflies are aquatic and are also predatory. Dragonfly nymphs have an unusual hinged lower jaw that can be thrust forward some distance to capture prey.