The first attempt at controlling early-season cotton insects was that of the boll weevil in the 1920's with a "sweetened poison" consisting of a mixture of calcium arsenate, molasses and water applied with a mop. With the advent of the organic insecticides, a program was developed to control all early-season cotton insects with three or four scheduled insecticide applications. The availability of cheap effective insecticides resulted in growers in the rain belt using full season "wash day" or "womb-to-tomb" insect control programs. The development of resistance to the organochlorine insecticides in the boll weevil and later to DDT and organophosphorus insecticides in Heliothis spp. resulted in what came to be known as Insect Pest Management Programs with insect control based on need. Findings by plant physiologists that insect damage to plants early in the season reduces yield potential has indicated the need for protecting plants from insects early in the season. Since economic thresholds may not be defined accurately enough to measure the combined effects of simultaneous light populations of several early-season insect pests, the argument for insurance in applying insecticides at certain stages of plant growth is enhanced. Researchers from several disciplines working together should resolve the problem.