The Bureau of Rural Resources has estimated the area in central Queensland potentially suitable for raingrown cotton production at 60-80,000 ha. With cotton prices above 1989$ 400 per bale, raingrown production can be highly profitable with even mediocre management. While the needs, risks, and management options for raingrown cotton have been dissected by other speakers at this conference, what happens to an insect management strategy which is totally dependent on the remedial use of insecticides should this potential suddenly be realized? Clearly it is important that we develop, now, a management strategy that reduces our reliance on conventional chemical control of insects and which is stabilised by the integration of some alternative pest control methods.