ABSTRACT
Aphids and whiteflies generally are included in the "other" or "miscellaneous" pest categories of cotton insect pests. However, recent problems with the whitefly in some western production regions and reports of higher populations of aphids occurring later in the season has focused more attention on these insects. Insect produced honeydew can contaminate cotton lint to the extent that cotton becomes sticky and is virtually impossible to process when the level of contamination is heavy. Textile processing quality is adversely affected because of stickiness and lapping of stock on card crush rolls and buildup of residues on drawing and roving frame rolls. It is therefore important that entomologists and growers recognize this important aspect of honeydew contamination of cotton lint. Control decisions should be based on preserving fiber quality as well as preventing yield losses.
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