Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) and H. punctigera (Wallengren, commonly called heIiothis, have historically been the primary focus of cotton pest management in Australia (Fitt 1994; 2000). The full commercial release of second-generation Bt cottons (BOLLGARD II ), scheduled for the 2004-05 season, is set to radically change the hierarchy of key insect pests of cotton by ending the dominance of hellothis. By virtue of its highly effective built-in chemical defence resulting from stacked Bt genes, BOLLGARD II is widely expected to be much less susceptible to heIiothis damage than conventional or first-generation Bt cottons (INGARD). Central Queensland (CQ) cotton growers are among those that stand to benefit enormously from access to the new technology. Among the key benefits of the new technology are a significant reduction in insecticide use and the resulting benefit to the CQ environment and its inhabitants. However, access to new technology in the CQ region comes with a price tag that involves diligent adherence to the regions unique area-wide heIiothis management program and Bt resistance management strategy. Support for and compliance with these and other best practice options requires an understanding of the factors underwriting access to Bt cotton technology and, often, a gentle reminder of the way things used to be. The objective of this paper is to provide a historical overview of heIiothis research conducted in CQ since 1996, leading up to the current situation and the imminent release of BOLLGARD II in the region.