Cultural practices for cotton insect pest control were severely reduced with the introduction and success of new synthetic insecticides after World War II. This led to a crisis in the 1950s that forced a reassessment of production philosophies and encouraged re-incorporating the older management practices. Successful pink bollworm control in Texas concentrates on cultural tactics to reduce the susceptible overwintering larvae. Similarly, early harvest and stalk disposal is advocated for boll weevil control, and Heliothis spp. populations can often be reduced by use of fast fruiting, short season varieties with proper planting dates, plant population, and irrigation programs.