During 1992/93, warm and wet weather in China promoted the most virulent outbreak of cotton boll worms in memory. The infestation resulted in production of 20.7 million bales, a decline of 21 percent from the previous year despite a 5-percent increase in area. This unabated infestation has continued in the current year but with less impact on yield as new management practices have reduced the damaging effects of the boll worm.