Cotton Pest Control Guide: Complete IPM Strategy for Higher Yield

Cotton is one of India’s most important cash crops, but it is highly vulnerable to a wide range of pests. If not managed properly, pest infestations can cause severe yield loss, poor fibre quality, and increased input cost.

The best approach is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)—a combination of biological control, cultural practices, and timely monitoring to manage pests sustainably.

🐛 Major Pests in Cotton & Their Control

🥇 1. Bollworms (Most Destructive Pest)

Types:

  • American bollworm
  • Pink bollworm
  • Spotted bollworm

Damage:

  • Larvae bore into squares and bolls
  • Direct yield loss

✅ Control:

  • Spray:
    • Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki

👉 Apply at early larval stage for best results

🥈 2. Whiteflies

Damage:

  • Sap sucking weakens plants
  • Causes sooty mold
  • Transmits viral diseases

✅ Control:

  • Spray:
    • Beauveria bassiana
    • Verticillium lecanii

🥉 3. Aphids

Damage:

  • Sap sucking
  • Leaf curling
  • Sticky honeydew secretion

✅ Control:

  • Spray:
    • Verticillium lecanii

🏅 4. Thrips

Damage:

  • Leaf curling
  • Silvering of leaves
  • Reduced growth

✅ Control:

  • Spray:
    • Verticillium lecanii

🕷️ 5. Mites

Damage:

  • Yellowing and bronzing
  • Web formation
  • Leaf drop

✅ Control:

  • Spray:
    • Hirsutella thompsonii

🐜 6. Mealybugs

Damage:

  • Weakens plants
  • Affects growth and yield

✅ Control:

  • Spray:
    • Beauveria bassiana

📅 Stage-wise Cotton Pest Management (IPM Schedule)

🌱 Early Stage (0–30 Days)

  • Monitor field regularly
  • Install pheromone traps for bollworms
  • Prevent early pest build-up

🌿 Vegetative Stage

  • Spray every 10–15 days:
    • Verticillium lecanii (sucking pests)
  • Maintain proper nutrition

🌸 Flowering Stage

  • Spray:
    • BTK for bollworms
    • Beauveria for whiteflies

👉 Critical stage for yield protection

🌾 Boll Formation Stage

  • Continue:
    • BTK for caterpillars
    • Hirsutella for mites

⚠️ Heavy Infestation

  • Combine bio-agents
  • Use minimal chemical control if required

🌿 Cultural Practices (Highly Important)

  • Maintain proper plant spacing
  • Avoid excessive nitrogen
  • Remove infected plant parts
  • Use trap crops
  • Ensure balanced fertilization

🔄 Best Bio-Combinations for Cotton

👉 Recommended combination:

  • BTK → Bollworm control
  • Beauveria + Verticillium → Sucking pests
  • Hirsutella → Mite control

👉 This ensures complete pest protection

Back to blog