Eliminating economic infestations of boll weevils from South Carolina cotton fields had a positive impact on managing bollworm/budworm infestations. The numbers of treatments of pyrethroid insecticides applied for bollworm/budworm control were reduced. Growers applied pyrethroids an average 3.4 fewer times in 1985, 1989 and 1991 than in 1981-1982. Although green stink bugs have assumed more importance as cotton pests, they are much easier and cheaper to control than boll weevils. Boll weevil eradication has provided a cornerstone for IPM in cotton.