Cotton Jassid Detected in Texas Cotton: Keep Scouting

The two-spot cotton leafhopper, also known as the cotton jassid, is a serious pest of cotton. Its introduction into the southeastern cotton-producing states in 2025 caused significant crop losses. The insect was also detected at multiple locations in Texas in 2025, mainly on nursery plants.

We have been actively monitoring for this pest across Texas, and until recently, we had not detected any activity in cotton in 2026. However, on August 5, both adults and nymphs of cotton jassid were detected in cotton in Grimes County. This is the first confirmed detection of cotton jassid in Texas cotton this year and warrants increased vigilance in other cotton-producing regions.

Cotton jassid causes yield losses primarily through premature defoliation. The crop needs healthy leaves to continue producing carbohydrates for boll filling and fiber maturation. Therefore, the crop needs to be protected from jassid feeding as long as green leaves are needed to finish the crop.

Much of the cotton in South Texas is now at a stage where cotton jassid-induced defoliation is unlikely to cause significant yield loss. However, as we move into other cotton-producing regions, mainly the Rolling Plains, and the southern and northern High Plains, the risk remains. Cotton in these regions still has several weeks to go before premature defoliation would no longer be a major concern.

Although the insect has remained relatively quiet so far, the recent detection in Grimes County is a reminder that we need to stay alert. We have not detected cotton jassid in cotton in the Rolling Plains or High Plains to date. However, given the large acreage of cotton in these regions and the ability of this insect to spread rapidly and cause significant damage in a short period of time, growers and consultants need to be on the lookout.

Keep scouting for cotton jassid

The threshold for cotton jassid is very low—an average of one nymph per leaf. Do not wait until significant leaf yellowing or reddening is visible before starting to look for the insect.

When scouting for cotton jassid, pay particular attention to the upper main-stem leaves and inspect the undersides of leaves for adults and nymphs. Also keep an eye on isolated plants, particularly plants along field edges, as these may have a higher probability of being infested when populations are just beginning to establish.

If you see leaves beginning to yellow or redden, take a closer look at those plants for cotton jassid. The symptoms caused by cotton jassid feeding look similar to potassium deficiency or Verticillium wilt, so it is important to confirm the cause before making a management decision.

There are multiple insecticide options (e.g. Venom, Vertento, Carbine, Bidrin) that showed promising results based on efficacy data generated in the southeastern U.S. last year. However, scouting remains the key to timely management. If cotton jassids are detected and populations reach the treatment threshold, be prepared to make an insecticide application before significant defoliation occurs.

Below are pictures of cotton jassid adults, nymphs, and associated feeding symptoms in cotton.

Cotton jassids underside of leaf (photo: Scott Graham)

Early symptoms (photo: Scott Graham)

Leaf reddening symptoms (photo: Scott Graham)

 

Leaffooted Bug Activity in the Texas High Plains

The leaffooted bug, Mozena obtusa, is a common insect throughout the Texas High Plains. Populations often build on mesquite trees during early summer, and under heavy infestations the insects can be observed in large numbers on a variety of plants.

We experienced a notable outbreak of this insect in Hockley County during 2022. Large numbers of adults and nymphs were found on mesquite trees and eventually moved into adjacent cotton fields. Despite the high populations observed in squaring cotton, we did not detect any associated square loss or reduction in fruit retention.

Mozena leaffooted bug adult and nymphs

Mozena leaffooted bug nymphs

We are again seeing higher-than-normal populations this year, and the insects can be found on numerous plants, including cotton, particularly in areas near mesquite trees. Because M. obtusa has not been shown to cause economic damage to squaring cotton in our observations, it is important not to rush into insecticide applications based solely on its presence. When scouting fields with leaffooted bugs, pay close attention to fruit retention and evidence of actual plant injury rather than insect numbers alone.

In some situations, exceptionally large populations may move into cotton fields and cause enough feeding pressure to justify a foliar insecticide application, particularly along field margins where infestations are concentrated. However, finding a few insects in a field is not a reason to panic and does not justify treatment.

Results from our 2022 insecticide efficacy trial showed that pyrethroid insecticides (e.g. bifenthrin, zeta-cypermethrin) provided the most effective control of leaffooted bugs. However, pyrethroids can also negatively impact beneficial insects and other natural enemies. Therefore, these products should be used only when justified, and if treatment is necessary, targeting field edges rather than making a whole-field application will often be sufficient.

Early-Season Cotton Seedling Injury Observed in Scurry County

I received a call this week regarding below-ground injury to young cotton seedlings in fields near Snyder in Scurry County. Given the excellent soil moisture conditions this season, which generally favor the activation and performance of insecticide seed treatments, the amount of seedling injury observed was somewhat unexpected. 

During field inspections, the first insect activity that stood out was the presence of numerous Blapstinus beetles (Fig. 1). These darkling beetles are about 1/4 inch long, dull brown to black in color, and flightless. They are commonly found moving across the soil surface or hiding beneath soil crusts near the base of cotton plants. Blapstinus beetles feed on young cotton seedlings, typically slightly below or at the soil surface (Fig. 2), and can occasionally contribute to stand loss when populations are high. 

Fig. 1 Blapstinus darkling beetle

Fig. 2. Chewing injury to cotton seedling

We dug around affected plants to assess below-ground injury and recovered several false wireworms from the soil (Fig. 3). Although false wireworm larvae can be difficult to identify morphologically, previous work in Martin County, where similar larvae were reared to adults, suggests these specimens were likely larvae of sand darkling beetles in the genus Eussatus (Fig. 4). These are among the most common false wireworms in the Texas South Plains and are frequently associated with seedling injury, particularly in dryland cotton. The larvae feed below ground on germinating seed, roots, and hypocotyl tissue, resulting in reduced vigor, and skippy stands. 

Fig. 3. False wireworm larva

Fig. 4. Sand darkling beetle (photo: Pat Porter)

When asked about the insecticide seed treatment, the grower indicated that the seed had a "premium" treatment package but was unsure of the specific active ingredients and application rates. 

This highlights an important point. Growers should not assume that a premium or elite seed treatment package automatically provides adequate protection against early-season insect pests. Seed treatment trade names often do not always reveal which insecticides are included or the rates at which they are applied. For example, imidacloprid may be included in a package, but the rate can vary considerably. Some treatments contain only storage rates intended to protect seed quality during storage, while others contain field-use rates designed to suppress early-season insect pests. These details are often difficult to find, so growers should verify the active ingredients and application rates with their seed company representative before planting. If stand establishment issues arise, it is also worthwhile to verify exactly what seed treatment package and rates were applied. 

There are no effective rescue treatments for wireworms or false wireworms. However, if the observed injury is being caused by Blapstinus beetles, a timely foliar application of pyrethroid insecticide will help minimize additional damage. Foliar applications of systemic insecticides such as imidacloprid will not provide significant benefit against Blapstinus beetles or against below-ground wireworms and false wireworms. 

For fields that require replanting, make sure the selected seed treatment package includes a full field-use rate of insecticide. Although imidacloprid seed treatments are primarily intended for thrips management, they may provide some suppression of wireworms and false wireworms and are recommended over no insecticide seed treatment. Additionally, if beetles or wireworm larvae are active in field, an in-furrow application of imidacloprid plus pyrethroid insecticide should be considered.

South Plains Cotton: Early Season Insect Management Considerations

As we approach cotton planting season, one of the common questions is whether standard imidacloprid seed treatments will control wireworm and darkling beetle injury to cotton seedlings. In short, imidacloprid seed treatments are designed primarily for thrips control. While they may provide some activity against secondary pests, they are not effective against wireworms below ground.

However, when adequate soil moisture is present to activate the seed treatment, we have seen imidacloprid help suppress injury from above-ground Blapstinus darkling beetles. These beetles are about 1/4 inch long and are commonly observed chewing and girdling stems of young cotton seedlings at the soil surface.

If darkling beetle activity and stem injury are present, a foliar pyrethroid application is the most effective treatment option. Another common question is whether foliar-applied imidacloprid will control these beetles. Because imidacloprid is systemic, beetles must feed sufficiently on treated plants to receive a lethal dose, which limits its effectiveness in this situation. If targeting darkling beetles, a pyrethroid is the better foliar option. Imidacloprid generally performs better as an at-plant, in-furrow treatment than as a foliar spray against early-season pests.

For thrips management, imidacloprid seed treatments continue to provide good control and may be sufficient under low to moderate thrips pressure, particularly in areas south of Lubbock. However, high thrips numbers are already being observed in northern areas on the limited vegetation available under ongoing drought conditions. These thrips will readily move to cotton as soon as seedlings emerge. As a result, early-planted cotton may require an additional foliar treatment on top of the seed treatment.

For foliar thrips control, both acephate and dicrotophos (Bidrin) remain effective options. In our region, acephate continues to provide good control, unlike some areas of the Cotton Belt where thrips populations have developed reduced susceptibility. Although acephate is effective and relatively inexpensive, it has shorter residual activity and is less rainfast than Bidrin. Those factors should be considered when making treatment decisions. Vertento is another effective option for thrips and provides a different mode of action than acephate and Bidrin. However, it is going to be more expensive than those products.

When both thrips and darkling beetles are present, a tank mix of acephate and a pyrethroid should provide effective control of both pests.

Blapstinus darkling beetle

Blapstinus beetle injury

Update on Cotton Jassid: A New Pest of Concern in Texas Cotton

We are closely monitoring the recent invasion of cotton jassids, Amrasca biguttula Ishida (also known as the two-spot cotton leafhopper) in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina and we are keeping a close watch for this pest in Texas. In Texas this pest has been detected on hibiscus in big box store nurseries in McAllen, Weslaco, Harlingen, Victoria, San Antonio, Cedar Park, College Station, Waco, Longview, and El Paso, but has not been detected outside of these nurseries. It appears that infested hibiscus plants were shipped from South Florida for sell throughout much on the southern U.S. The Texas Department of Agriculture is taking steps to eliminate this potential source of cotton jassid, and the situation is being investigated by USDA-APHIS. Whether or not this incident results in establishment of this pest in Texas remains to be determined.

Cotton jassids (Photo: Scott Graham, Auburn University) 

Description  

Adult cotton jassids measure approximately 1/8 of an inch (2-3 mm) in length and are pale green with yellowish-green wings. They can be distinguished from other leafhopper species by a prominent black spot on the apical area of each forewing and, often, by two dark spots on either side of the head. The markings sometimes can be faint or absent. Therefore, definitive morphological identification requires dissection and examination of the male genitalia by a specialist or confirmation through molecular testing. The eggs which are laid within the veins and midribs of leaves are yellowish-white, oblong, and less than 0.04 inches (1 mm) long, nearly invisible without magnification. 

Newly hatched nymphs are wingless, pale green, and highly agile, often scuttling sideways or dropping from plants when disturbed. They are very small, typically less than 0.05 inches (1.27 mm) long—and difficult to distinguish from nymphs of other species. When disturbed, both adults and nymphs exhibit distinctive sideways movements and quick hopping behavior. 

Adult cotton jassid (Photo: Isaac Esquivel, University of Florida)

Jassid nymph (Photo: Isaac Esquivel, University of Florida)

Established distribution

The cotton jassid’s native range extends from Iran to Japan and Indonesia. It is a serious economic pest of cotton in the Indian subcontinent. In 2022 and 2023 it was reported as a serious pest of cotton in West Africa. It was found in Puerto Rico in 2023, followed by other Caribbean Islands and Florida in 2024. By 2025, infestations had been reported in multiple counties in Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. 

Life cycle

Majority of the information comes from research conducted in the native range of pest. As per the literature, female cotton jassids lay multiple eggs (14 to 60), which hatch in approximately one week. The nymphal stage lasts 5 to 16 days, and adults live for up to five weeks. The total lifecycle duration varies with temperature and humidity. For example, in India, generation time ranges from 15 to 46 days, allowing up to 11 generations per year, largely due to the continuous availability of host plants in warmer climates.

Host range

Cotton jassid has a fairly broad host range primarily within the families Malvaceae, Fabaceae, Asteraceae and Solanaceae. This includes cotton, okra, peanuts, soybeans, sunflowers, eggplant, potato, and many ornamental plants. When the pest invaded Florida it was first detected in high number infesting okra.

Cotton injury and symptoms

Nymphs and adults feed on the undersides of leaves, extracting sap with their piercing-sucking mouthparts and causing curling, yellowing, and bronzing of foliage—symptoms collectively referred to as “hopperburn.” Initial observations from Georgia indicate that jassid infestations and associated plant injury appear quickly after colonization and are most severe along field margins. Under heavy infestation, hopperburn symptoms extend throughout the field, leading to premature defoliation. Severe feeding stunts plant growth and can cause the premature drop of fruiting structures, resulting in yield and quality losses. In India, this pest is reported to cause up to 50% of yield losses in cotton and is known to be extremely difficult to control. This species of leafhopper is not confirmed to be a vector of any pathogens. While the full impact on yields in U.S. cotton is still uncertain, Extension experts and researchers across the Southeast where the insect has been found to infest cotton fields are actively investigating the impact of this pest as well as potential control options.

Hopperburn symptoms (Photo: Scott Graham, Auburn University)

Hopperburn and leaf reddening (Photo: Scott Graham, Auburn University)

Treatment decision and insecticide efficacy data

Based on the initial studies done in Alabama and Georgia, the recommended treatment threshold for cotton jassid is one to two nymphs per leaf. Scouting should focus on the undersides of mainstem leaves at the third, fourth, or fifth node from the top of the plant. The threshold applies when injury symptoms are observed, which helps confirm correct identification, as other leafhopper species do not cause similar symptoms. Populations and damage typically appear first along field edges before spreading inward. The ‘hopperburn’ symptoms could be confused with Verticillium wilt or severe potassium deficiency at first glance. It is important to look underside of leaves for presence of insects. Although insecticide efficacy evaluations are ongoing, Bidrin, Sivanto Prime, Sefina, and Carbine have shown promise in Georgia and Alabama. 

Authors: Suhas Vyavhare, David Kerns, Jose Santiago Gonzalez, and Patrick Porter; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Conchuela Stink Bug in Texas High Plains Cotton: Identification, Injury, and Management

As we enter the boll formation phase of the crop, one insect pest I have been picking up quite consistently is the Conchuela stink bug. It is a relatively large insect (~1/2 inch long) with a distinctive dark olive green to black coloration and a reddish margin around the body. Their populations develop on mesquite trees and various weedy hosts, and as the quality of these host plants declines, they migrate into grain crops and cotton.

These stink bugs are voracious feeders and can be found in multiple numbers on the same boll (picture below). Stink bugs in general prefer to feed on medium-sized bolls, approximately the size of a quarter-dollar coin. Feeding on young bolls (<10 days old) often leads to boll shedding, while in larger bolls, stink bug feeding results in the formation of dark spots on the exterior. These dark spots do not always correspond to internal damage, which is why the newer stink bug thresholds are based on internal boll damage.

Dynamic boll injury threshold for stink bugs

If stink bugs are being detected along the field margin, I would consider spraying a couple of swaths around the field edges. This proactive approach can help prevent or reduce the spread across the entire field. Also, this way, the entire-field insecticide application can be better timed during the most vulnerable stages of the crop (3rd to 6th week into bloom) in case population build-up and/or reinfestation continues. We have had many situations in past seasons where stink bug infestations went undetected until damage became obvious late in the season. The only way to avoid this is through regular crop monitoring and timely insecticide application when needed.

The most effective insecticide products for stink bugs are either pyrethroids (e.g. bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin) or organophosphates (e.g. acephate, Bidrin). These chemistries are much harsher on beneficials compared to some of the softer products used for aphids and plant bug control. Therefore, I would avoid rushing into an entire-field application unless stink bug numbers or internal boll injury justify the treatment. Neonicotinoids, such as imidacloprid can offer some level of stink bug suppression, but products commonly used for cotton fleahopper, aphid, or plant bug control (e.g. Carbine, Sivanto, or Transform) will not provide stink bug control.

Conchuela stink bug adults on cotton boll

South Plains Cotton Pest Update: Product Choices for Fleahoppers and Aphids

With some of the early-planted cotton already in the second or third week of squaring, we are starting to pick up quite a few cotton fleahoppers and isolated colonies of cotton aphids across the region. One of the common questions I’ve been getting is about product choices for managing these pests.

For cotton aphids, I would keep a close eye before pulling the trigger. With all the rain we've had over the past few days, there’s a good chance it may wash off some of the aphids. So, I would let the weather and beneficial insects work their magic before making a treatment decision.

Most of the products recommended for cotton fleahopper also have some activity against cotton aphids. For instance, Transform WG, Centric 40WG, and Carbine 50WG—all commonly used for cotton fleahopper control—also offer decent efficacy on aphids. Of these three, Transform has the best activity on cotton aphids and is also very effective against fleahoppers.

Some of the cheaper options include acephate and Bidrin 8. Acephate is the least expensive but also the least rainfast, with shorter residual activity. Bidrin offers slightly better rainfastness and longer residual control on both cotton fleahoppers and aphids; however, it is much harsher on beneficial insects compared to Transform, Centric, or Carbine.

Adult cotton fleahopper (picture: Pat Porter)

Plant terminal infested with cotton aphids