Total dependence on broad spectrum insecticides led to nerve insensitivity resistance in Helicoverpa armigera and, eventually, to the collapse of the previously successful cotton industry at Kununurra in 1974.

Green mind, Creontiades dilitus (Stal), is an important sporadic pest of cotton at the seedling stage and through early squaring.

The introduction of transgenic cotton expressing the CrylAc insecticidal crystal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is expected to provide the basis for pest management in cotton in the near future and to reduce

The CSIRO breeding program at the Australian Cotton Research Institute at Narrabri aims to develop locally adapted varieties for use by Australian farmers.

Host plant resistance has long been a focus of the CSIRO cotton breeding program with emphasis on both morphological (okra leaf, frego bract) and biochemical factors (high gossypol) for resistance to insects.