Although cotton has been grown in Australia for over one hundred years, mainly in Queensland prior to the early 1960's, it was not until 1963/1964 following the completion of the Keepit Dam and the introduction o

Traps baited with sex attractants ( 1 pheromone 1 traps) are presently being used by a number of farmers in Central Queensland to monitor P. scutigera populations and for timing insecticide sprays.

Without doubt the world statistical stock situation would indicate that there is an enormous Imbalance between the supply/ demand situation for cotton, which on the f ace of it will last for some years yet.

Questions are often raised about whether trace elements are required on cotton.

Experiments were conducted to determine whether on cotton, Rutherglen Bug and Grey Cluster Bug were able to survive, develop and reproduce. Their ability to damage cotton was also assessed.

Reducing the costs of pest management may be looked at in two ways. These are the actual reduction of chemical costs which must be balanced against the need to maintain or enhance yield.

Of the five species of Heliothis in Australia, only two, Heliothis armigera and H. punctigera are major economic pests. They are clearly the major pests of cotton in all production areas.

Heliothis spp. have two main attributes which give rise to their pest status and make them difficult to manage (see Fitt this volume).

The development and release of SIOKRA, the new okra-leaf variety, has created considerable interest with respect to pest management.

Early crop protection is a controversial subject in modern pest management. Grower magazines in Australia and the U.S. carry articles expressing firm opinions both for and against.

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The visits to research institutions proved extremely enlightening and valuable.

This 3 year study examined the relationships between catches of Heliothis adults in monitoring traps and the abundance of eggs on cotton crops.

* Testing various versions of SIRATAC on a commercial scale. * Ptoviding a database of the response of cotton to damage. *Comparing the response of the new varieties Siokra and DP90 with DP61.

To determine the various factors affecting the loss of activity of insecticides on cotton over time.