Improved areawide whitefly management through industry and extension partnership

Whitefly adult and nymph populations were monitored using the leaf turn method on nearly 18 000 acres. Each field was sampled weekly and field results provided to growers and Pest Control Advisors. Weekly meetings with discussions were held to provide ongoing analysis of whitefly populations and other cotton agronomy issues. This enhanced cooperation and communication with growers and PCAs. Planting date, insecticide applications, location within the area along with transgenic and nontransgenic cotton were studied and effects on whitefly populations recorded. Daily reports to growers and PCAs allowed them to corroborate observations. Planting dates affected population peak occurrence for adult and nymph populations. Nontransgenic cotton had lower whitefly populations. Fields on the Paloma Ranch had lower overall whitefly populations.