The implementation of Integrated Pest Management and use of Bt varieties has drastically reduced insecticide sprays on cotton farms.

This report presents and summarizes the outcomes of five years of research into enhancing integrated pest management (IPM) in cotton production systems.

Summary * Pest managers were surveyed to benchmark mirid management practices * Many mirid sprays were applied when mirids were below threshold and fruit retention was high (>85%).

Many insect natural enemies are omnivorous, in that they include extra-floral nectar, floral nectar, honeydew and pollen, as well their insect prey in their diet for at least part of their life.

Bollgard II and selective insecticides have dramatically increased the opportunity for adopting integrated pest management (IPM) in the Australian cotton system.