Cultural factors influencing the abundance of Aphis gossypii Glover in Texas High Plains cotton

Several cultural factors including planting date, plant density, leaf pubescence, leaf color and reflective wheat straw mulch exhibited an effect on the development of Aphis gossypii populations in cotton. The retarding effect of the wheat straw mulch on aphid development appeared to result from an increase in light intensity on the underside of cotton leaves. Application of the insecticide, cyhalothrin (Karate registered ), to stimulate cotton aphid population growth resulted in a rapid increase in aphid numbers but also appeared to mask the effects of cultural control factors.