Loopers have become an uncommon pest of cotton due to the use of Bt cotton varieties. Both the cabbage looper and soybean looper may occur. Both are light green and have two pairs of prolegs, which distinguishes them from other caterpillars found in cotton. Looper infestations almost always occur after plants have begun to flower. The caterpillars (larvae) feed on leaves, causing irregularly shaped holes. Looper populations are often held below damaging levels by natural biological control agents. For more information visit the Cotton Insects Loopers Fact Sheet (W034).
Management options
| Insecticide (Trade Names) for LOOPERS | Lb Active Ingredient per Acre | Amount Formulation per Acre | Performance Rating Soybean / Cabbage |
|---|---|---|---|
| chlorantraniliprole (Vantacor 5 SC) | 0.067 - 0.097 | 1.71 - 2.5 oz | 8 / 9 |
| chlorantraniliprole, bifenthrin (Elevest) | See label | 5.6 - 9.6 oz | 8 / 9 |
| chlorantraniliprole, λ-cyhalothrin (Besiege) | See label | 10 - 12.5 oz | 8 / 9 |
| emamectin benzoate (Denim 0.16) | 0.01 - 0.015 | 8 - 12 oz | 9 / 9 |
| indoxacarb (Steward 1.25) | 0.09 - 0.11 | 9.2 - 11.3 oz | 9 / 9 |
| methoxyfenozide (Intrepid 2) | 0.06 - 0.16 | 4 - 10 oz | 9 / 9 |
| spinetoram (Radiant SC 1) | 0.033 - 0.0625 | 4.25 - 8 oz | 8? / 9? |
| spinetoram, methoxyfenozide (Intrepid Edge) | See label | 4 - 8 oz | 9 / 9 |
| spinosad (Blackhawk 36% WDG) | 0.056 - 0.072 | 2.4 - 3.2 oz | 9 / 9 |
- Plant early maturing varieties and avoid unnecessary insecticide applications that may disrupt populations of natural enemies.
- Bt cotton varieties typically provide good control, and supplemental insecticide applications are rarely needed.
- Insecticide applications can be terminated when cotton has accumulated 600-700 DD60s past NAWF5 (NAWF5 = average of 5 nodes above a first position white flower).