Impact of insecticidal efficacy on cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) distribution in Louisiana cotton

The cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) is an economically damaging pest to cotton in the mid-south and has the potential to cause detrimental losses to a cotton crop. Feeding occurs on the abaxial surface of leaves and in plant terminals. Chemical control is often used in an attempt to manage cotton aphid populations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of various insecticides on cotton aphids in cotton, and determine efficacy varies depending on where the aphids reside between the upper and lower canopy strata.  Intruder was the most effective in reducing aphid numbers initially and maintaining low numbers for every sampling interval.  Carbine, Centric, and Transform all showed reductions in aphid numbers as well.  Belay showed no consistency in controlling aphid numbers. Insecticide choice influenced aphid distribution between the upper and middle plant canopy.