A new insecticide, Adage^TM (thiamethoxam), was compared to recommended standards, Temik (aldicarb) and Gaucho (imidacloprid), for efficacy against early-season thrips on cotton and for its effect on plant growth, development, and yield. Three rates of Adage were evaluated. At all rates, Adage reduced thrips damage below that in the untreated check, and the two highest rates were comparable to Temik and superior to Gaucho. Leaf areas were significantly greater in all treatments (except the low rate of Adage) compared to the untreated. Bloom counts were higher in the highest rate Adage treatment compared to Temik, Gaucho, and the untreated. Thrips larval numbers were comparable in all insecticide treatments from 20 to 34 DAP. Lint yield at first harvest was higher in the highest rate Adage treatment compared to Temik and the untreated. Total lint yield did not differ among the insecticide treatments.