Field and laboratory studies were conducted to determine optimum aerial application parameters for Tracer™ to control cotton insect pests. Tracer™ and a Producer Standard (selections of Karate^®, Pirate^®, Larvin^®, Condor^®XL, and Mattch^®) were applied at 2 and 5 gal per acre and 200 and 400 m droplets. Detailed bioassays and sampling were conducted at open and closed canopy. Bioassays indicated that budworm mortality for Tracer™ was greater at 5 gal, 200 m although reduced mortality was observed in the closed canopy application. Bollworm mortality was also highest for Tracer™ at 5 gal, 200 m at open canopy but was highly reduced at closed canopy. Field evaluations revealed budworm larvae were numerically greater in Producer Standard treatments. Tracer™ treatments had significantly fewer third instar or larger larvae suggesting that Tracer™ controlled smaller larvae before they developed into more damaging instars. Tracer™ treatments also exhibited higher number of beneficial insects. Based on these data, Tracer™ appeared to control early budworm populations better when plant coverage was more uniform during open canopy applications, and it was less detrimental to the beneficial insect complex than were the Producer Standards.