Insect populations were considered generally light across the Cotton Belt, and as such, probably would not be ranked very high as a limiting factor in cotton production. Whitefly problems in the west were lighter than in the past five years and consequently more easily managed. Tobacco budworm infestations from Texas eastward were much lighter than had been experienced in many years and pyrethroid resistance did not play a major role in managing this pest. For the last eight years, beet armyworms had plagued one region or another, however, in 1996, no serious outbreaks were reported to have occurred. Aphid and plant bug populations did require control in some regions, yet their populations were considered to be less of a problem than normal. The boll weevil eradication program continued to make slow progress in the quest to eliminate this serious pest from U.S. cotton. A couple of new areas of eradication were initiated in Texas and a voluntary program in much of the eastern portion of Mississippi allowed for the continuation of the program there. There were no reports of serious secondary pest outbreaks associated with these new programs. Perhaps the most notable event of 1996 was the registration and commercialization of transgenic Bt cotton for the control of many caterpillar pests. As much as 1.8 million acres of the NuCotn varieties with Bollgard were planted in 1996. This technology did not go through the season without its own problems. Heavy infestations of bollworms challenged the toxin and some treatments were necessary to keep the bollworms under control.