Irrigation management influences on key cotton pests have not been extensively studied in cotton production systems. In cotton production regions there is commonly considerable variation in irrigation management approaches as well as varietal variation. This study evaluates the impacts of cotton variety and irrigation management practices on key cotton pest populations in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV). As irrigation management changes toward more frequent water applications, the vigor of all varieties were influenced but to different degrees. Fruiting characteristics can range widely depending on variety and give rise to changes in carbohydrate availability resulting in possible insect attraction differences. This study found that both irrigation management and cotton variety were important factors in the cotton pest, Lygus hesperus.