Consequences of thrips control, or absence of control, was compared in terms of plant growth, yield, crop maturity, fiber quality and textile utility of the crop. Economic analysis will be presented in a separate paper. A very heavy thrips infestation in 1986 resulted in strand reduction, (19%) leaf area reduction,(88%) and delays in fruiting (2 weeks). Yield was significantly less in the Thrips damaged cotton when compared with the treatment of Temik applied in furrow and side dress. The damaged crop was markedly delayed with a bulk of crop set in mid to late season. Fiber properties were adversely affected in the damaged plots to the point that the textile utility is questioned. Spinning performance, yarn quality and fabric performance studies show that shift in maturity of the crop can affect fiber properties and textile performance. The importance of earliness is emphasized in crop quality even when yields between damaged and undamaged cotton may be the same.