Issue being addressed A complex of soil pests can cause crop establishment problems in newly sown cotton crops even where seed dressings are used.

There have been reports of symphlans in early established crops. Symphla are a natural part of healthy soil biota, & can be found under healthy crops however at very high numbers may cause root damage.

During the 2008/09 season, a number of cotton fields in Theodore had problems with seedling establishment in areas where large numbers of symphyla were present.

DAFF Entomologists have found a parasitoid of the Solenopsis mealybug (Phenococcus solenopsis) from cotton at Byee in southern Qld. This is the first known record of this parasitoid in Australia.

In a trial undertaken to determine the efficacy of selected chemistry for the control of Solenopsis mealybug on cotton picking machinery, Pulse Penetrant provided close to complete control of all lifestages targeted.