In order to better understand compensation mechanisms for Lygus spp damage to cotton, a project was conducted to assess plant phenology and yield responses to three levels of damage. Squares were artificially removed early in the flowering stage (9 total nodes through 15 total nodes) from fruiting branches 1 through 6. Lygus were excluded in the plots through use of insecticide. Compensation to decreased boll load was found in vegetative branches as well as upper fruiting branches. Plant height was significantly increased in plots with severe boll loss. Time for maturation (cut-out) did not appear to be affected by early square loss. Plants with light and moderate square removal yielded higher than control plots. Severe square removal resulted in reduced yield from the control plots, but less than anticipated.