Effects of early infestations of two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae) in cotton yield

Cotton plots established in the field during summer of 2012 were artificially infested with two-spotted spider mites at 14, and 28 days and after emergence and at squaring. For infestations at 14 and 28 days, spider mites were eliminated at 3 days, 7 days, and at squaring. Infestations of spider mites initiated at squaring were eliminated at 3 days, 7 days, and at the beginning of bloom. It is expected that treatments with earlier infestation dates and with longer infestation intervals will result in greater yield loss.