The identification and synthesis of pheromones of several major cotton pests has had a significant influence on both cotton pest research and the development of pest management systems. During recent years the use of pheromone traps has enabled significant advances to be made in survey, detection, and sampling techniques for the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Sanders), bollworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), and tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F).

A major goal of researchers is the development of pheromone systems which will provide control of specific major cotton pests. With such systems available it is easy to visualize effective and economical pest management programs with significantly reduced insecticide use. Unfortunately, at this time, pheromone control systems have not evolved to the level many of us had anticipated.