Thrips infestations on seedling cotton during 1990 - 1992 were influenced by tillage, cover crop, cultivar and use of aldicarb. Numbers of immature and adult thrips were reduced in no-tillage as compared with surface tillage for up to 21 days in cotton planted following fallow (1990), wheat (1991-92), and canola (1992). Thrips species composition varied during the years, in 1990 and 1991 the tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds), was the principle species, whereas, in 1992 numerous western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentallis (Pergande), and flower thrips, Frankliniella tritici (Fitch), were also collected in early season samples. Highest numbers of thrips were collected in plots which had canola as a cover prior to planting cotton which was not treated with aldicarb. Thrips populations were also influenced by different cultivars; fewer adults and immatures were collected on Chembred 1135 in either tillage system as compared with Coker 320 or Delta Pine 90. Infestations were significantly reduced in all treatments when aldicarb (0.6 kg AI/Ha) was applied in the seed furrow at planting time.