Management decisions for pink bollworm (PBW), Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), based on larval infestation level are hindered by an inherent time lag between the period of increasing adult (primary target stage) populations and when treatments are actually applied (typically 6 to 10 days). It is suggested that this time lag is too long in many cases for optimal control; i.e., larval infestations may become well established between applications. A presence/absence sampling plan for PBW eggs on bolls was developed to provide a more recent index of moth activity and one that has potential for field implementation. The relationship between eggs, larvae, and male moths are documented for three commercial fields monitored during 1985. These data indicate that oviposition patterns provide a more consistent estimate of insecticide efficacy than male moth trap catches. Examination of egg/larval relationships indicate treatments based on egg infestations would have in many cases provided a 2 to 4 day "jump" over actual treatment dates based on subsequent larval infestations. Finally, preliminary treatment levels based on egg infestations are given for a range of corresponding larval infestations.