Bollgard insect management strategies vary across the southeastern cotton states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Nine regions within this six state area are loosely identified by their insect control strategies in Bollgard cotton. These areas are described as follows: (1) Tennessee Valley / Northern Alabama, (2) Central Alabama, (3) Southern Alabama / Florida panhandle / Southwest Georgia, (4) Central Georgia, (5) Savannah River Valley - Eastern Georgia and lower South Carolina, (6) Carolina above the Santee-Cooper Lakes, (7) Central North Carolina, (8) Eastern Shore North Carolina and (9) Upper North Carolina / Virginia.

All areas within this region are tend to include foliar insecticides in their Bollgard management plan for optimal profitability. Scouting and supplemental insect treatment decisions vary slightly in each region based on overall pest populations.

Bollworm scouting techniques, originally thought to be over burdensome in Bollgard, have been refined by more progressive crop advisors. Using historic cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa zea) moth flight information, many have optimized their field survey techniques in Bollgard. These advisors are reporting Bollgard different but no more difficult to scout than conventional fields.

Secondary insects, including stink bugs, 3^rd generation plant bugs and armyworms, have become more predominant economic pests in late season untreated Bollgard cotton.