The importance of Lygus spp. in cotton has been and still is a much debated issue. Factors such as cotton variety, fertilization and host plant abundance can impact population levels and the severity of damage inflicted by a Lygus infestation. Direct losses to the crop in the form of yield reduction and delayed maturity may result from damage to squares between first square and early bloom. In addition, early season management actions taken against Lygus may impact the abundance of other pests and thereby result in further losses. In 1996, Lygus infested approximately 46% of the total harvested acres with the estimate of direct losses being $11 per acre.