In 1990, there were approximately 11.5 million acres of cotton (upland and pima) harvested in the U.S. with an average yield of 1.3 bales (480-lb bales) per acre amounting to a 15.4 million bale production (see R. B. Head, these proceedings). Harvested acreage and total production increased over 20% in 1990 compared with 1989, and yield remained approximately the same.

Arthropod pests reduced yield by an estimated 6.4% in spite of control measures. This amounted to a loss of over 900,000 bales from potential yield resulting in an estimated loss in revenue of $273 million. The beltwide average cost per acre for controlling arthropod pests was $30.67, and the total cost for controlling these pests was $354 million. Thus, the estimated total cost of arthropod pests to USA cotton production in 1990 was $627 million (see R. B. Head, these proceedings).