In 1993, there were approximately 12.98 million acres of cotton (Upland and Pima) harvested in the U.S. with an average yield of 1.29 bales (480 lb bales) per acre amounting to a 16.74 million bale production (see M. R. Williams, these proceedings). Harvested acreage increased 8.2% but total production decreased 520,000 bales compared to 1992, indicating a yield reduction of about 10%.

Arthropod pests reduced yield by an estimated 6.9% in spite of control measures. This amounted to a loss of over 890,000 bales from potential yield resulting in an estimated loss in revenue of over $331 million. The beltwide average cost per acre for controlling arthropod pests was $45.21 (compared to $50.19 for 1992), and the total cost for controlling these pests was over $586 million. Thus, the estimated total cost of arthropod pests to U.S. cotton production in 1993 was over $917 million (see M. R. Williams, these proceedings).