Four small plot field tests were initiated at the Macon Ridge Branch of the Northeast Research Station near Winnsboro, LA to study the effects of several conservation tillage systems on cotton insect pests. Results of these tests indicated reduced tillage systems (no-till and ridge-till) + cover crops (wheat, crimson clover and hairy vetch) had no effect on early season thrips and cotton aphid infestations compared to those in conventional-till plots. The efficacy of the in-furrow insecticides, Temik 15G and Orthene 90S, against seedling cotton pests was not affected by tillage systems. Numbers of cutworms (primarily black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel)) were higher in the no-till plots than in the conventional-till plots. The plots planted with crimson clover and hairy vetch had more damaged cotton plants and higher cutworm infestations compared to that in plots with no cover crop (native winter vegetation). In test plots with a hairy vetch cover crop, tillage was more effective in reducing cutworm damage to cotton plants than broadcast applications of a burndown herbicide, Gramoxone Extra .5E. Cutworm infestations were significantly lower in plots treated with Gramoxone Extra .5E at 4 and 6 weeks before planting compared to those plots treated 1 and week(s) before planting. Tobacco budworm overwintering survival based on adult emergence was very low during the spring of 1991, but results suggested higher numbers of adults emerged from reduced tillage + cover crop treated plots compared to that in the conventional-till lots.