Insecticide use escalated in the mid 1990s when outbreaks of cotton aphid occurred in response to changes in agronomic practices and an increase in insecticide resistance. Early season applications of pyrethroids for Lygus control exacerbated problems for both cotton aphid and spider mites. University of California Extension personnel conducted an educational program that outlined the problem and provided a multiple species approach to insect pest management. The essential elements of the program were an emphasis on preservation of natural enemies through a reduction of early season broad-spectrum pesticides and careful rotation of insecticide classes. Since implementation of that program, resistances to organophosphates in cotton aphid and Lygus and to an organochlorine in cotton aphid have declined. Resistance to a pyrethroid is increasing in Lygus bug, probably because of increased use of pyrethroids in its preferred host, alfalfa. Spider mites continue to show a yearly cycle of high susceptibility to major acaricides in the early season and lower susceptibility after sprays are applied. Pest problems have not been as severe since the resistance management guidelines were provided to growers. These data suggest that careful management of pesticides in cotton can maintain susceptibility for some pesticides but not others.