Be Proactive in Managing Silverleaf Whiteflies in Cotton

Aug 03, 2018

By Phillip Roberts

Silverleaf whitefly (SLWF) adults have been observed in low numbers in cotton in some areas of Georgia during the past 7-10 days. To date, very few immature whiteflies have been observed in cotton, and we are not aware of any field which has exceeded threshold for SLWF.

Most reports include observations of individuals or a few adults when searching plants for corn earworm. However, the presence of SLWF in a field is worth noting, and management of all insect pests must consider the presence of SLWF. All efforts should be made to minimize the need to treat SLWF with insecticide.

Management Considerations:

Scout for the presence of SLWF adults. It is important to know if SLWF is present!
Conserve beneficial insects. Do not apply insecticides for any pests unless thresholds are exceeded (beneficial insects will also suppress corn earworm).
If SLWF is present in a field, avoid use of insecticides for other pests which are prone to flare SLWF.
Scout fields frequently for adults and immatures once fields are infested with SLWF.
Be timely with SLWF insecticides when thresholds are exceeded (many learned in 2017 that it is difficult to play catchup with SLWF).
Be very aware of SLWF infestations in hairy leaf varieties and late planted cotton. These are high risk fields.

There is no question that agents, scouts, consultants, and growers are looking more closely for SLWF this year based on the problems we had in 2017. Historically, if we see SLWF in cotton during the month of July, we should anticipate problems with SLWF – especially on late planted fields – and manage appropriately.

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Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.