South, central and west Texas experienced earlier and higher levels of tobacco budworm (TBW). during the 1993 season. Populations were the highest in the last 12 years. Spring rains delayed planting in south and central Texas thereby exposing the crop to the high levels of TBW infestations. Control difficulties were experienced with control failures mostly being limited late planted cotton. Pyrethroids at high rates and mixtures of other insecticides failed to control TBW in the worst situations. Despite the weather and TBW problems, the crop yield only slightly below average.