Key points *Cotton aphid uses a wide range of hosts in winter when cotton is not available. * Farm gardens provide a habitat for cotton aphid especially when conditions are dry. Aphids sampled from such sites show resistance to traditional chemical controls. * Aphids maintain chemical resistance within populations by reproduction by cloning. * Reducing the abundance of aphid hosts on farm through winter, especially weeds, may help reduce abundance on cotton. A list of key hosts is provided.