In 1995 bronze wilt appeared in a small number of fields in Missouri. In 1998 it appeared in many fields. In 1999 it was found only in rare instances. The predominant symptoms were bronze leaves, absence of squares, red stems, reduced plant size, rugose leaves, wilting and finally death. In 1999 the disease appeared later in the season. The predominant symptoms were red stems and leaves. Usually the plants had squares. It was very difficult to distinguish the symptoms from drought stress. Drought stressed plants were also stunted, had red stems and wilted. Spider mites also caused reddening of the leaves. These late appearing symptoms appear to have had little effect on the lint yield.