Management guidelines for lygus bugs (Lygus hesperus Knight) after pead squaring (1130 d(>60)) are incomplete. A study was under taken to evaluate the influence of lygus feeding on square retention. Squares were artificially removed above the white bloom ( on average, node 17). Treatments consisted of removing 33%, 67%, 100% of the squares or removing no squares. Fields with good early boll set were contrasted to those with poor early boll set. A total of 17 fields were utilized. Lygus was not widely present during this period in any of the fields. Multiple regression analysis was applied to the percent fruit retained between nodes 17 to 20. Boll retention at the first position was influenced by both removal of squares and prior boll load. Square removal did not impact final plant height or number of main stem nodes.