In 1991, there were approximately 13 million acres of cotton (upland and pima) harvested in the U.S. with an average yield of 1.4 bales (480-lb bales) per acre amounting to an 18. million bale production (see R. B. Head, these proceedings). Harvested acreage and total production increased 11.3% and 3.3%, respectively, in 1991 compared with 1990, and yield increased about 8%.

Arthropod pests reduced yield by an estimated 5.1% in spite of control measures. This amounted to a loss of over 97,000 bales from potential yield resulting in an estimated loss in revenue of over $61 million. The beltwide average cost per acre for controlling arthropod pests was $33.68 (compared to $30.00 for 1990), and the total cost for controlling these pests was over $437 million. Thus, the estimated total cost of arthropod pests to U.S. cotton production in 1991 was over $700 million (see R. B. Head, these proceedings).