Tarnished plant bug (TPB),Lygus lineolaris, is an economically important insect pest of cotton in Louisiana. Both adults and nymphs feed on squares, flowers, and bolls which results in direct yield loss, reduced lint quality, and delayed maturity. Multiple insecticide applications are often required to manage TPB in cotton due to repeated infestations during the growing season. However, unsprayed field borders have been proposed as a potential requirement to mitigate off-target effects of insecticide applications which could impact TPB management outcomes. The goal of this study was to examine the effect of unsprayed borders on TPB infestations in managed cotton. Field experiments were conducted at the Macon Ridge Research Station in Winnsboro, LA and Dean Lee Research and Extension Center in Alexandria, LA. Large field plots (more than one acre per experimental plot) were arranged following a randomized block design. Treatments consisted of sprayed and unsprayed borders. Sequential TPB sampling was conducted using sweep nets during the pre-bloom stage and drop cloths during the post-bloom stage across field borders and interiors. Square retention and yield data were also collected. Results will provide information regarding the effects of unsprayed borders on TPB infestations and damage to cotton.
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