388 



the cotton fleahopper, Pseuaatomoscelis serlatus (Reuter) ; and lygus bugs, 

 Lygus hesperus Knight and L. lineolarls (P. de B.). A number of other in- 

 sects (and spider mites) occasionally cause serious damage. Practical tech- 

 niques by producers, research continues to develop even more desirable methods 

 of insect control. In addition to research on new insecticides, major re- 

 search efforts are in progress on cultural controls, resistant and/or deter- 

 minant varieties, hormones, pheromones, insect sterility, and biological con- 

 trol using parasites, predators, and pathogens. 



760. . 1976. Recent advances in boll weevil research. Proc. 1976 Beltwide 



Cotton Prod. -Mech. Conf., pp. 46-47. 

 As a prelude to my comments on recent advances in boll weevil research, perhaps 

 I should review some of the significant events that have influenced the comple- 

 tion of the pilot experiment in the fall of 1973 the technical guidance committee 

 for the experiment concluded that it was technically and operaionally feasible to 

 eliminate the boll weevil as an economic pest from the United States by means 

 which were economically sound. However, the committee also emphasized the need 

 for additional research to refine technology and reduce costs. Likewise, an 

 evaluation committee appointed by the Entomological Society of America expressed 

 reservations as to whether the pilot trial actually demonstrated the capability for 

 eradicating the boll weevil and suggested the need for additional- research to im- 

 prove mass production, sterilization, and the use of the boll weevil pheromone, 

 grandlure. The need to deter'jilne the relative value of the various components of 

 a proposed eradicated system was also stressed. In view of the various uncertain- 

 ties which arose, a meeting of most interested parties was held in Memphis in the 

 fall of 1974. At this meeting, agreement was reached that a three-year tiral 

 eradication program should be undertaken in Virginia, North Carolina and South 

 Carolina and that future action should be based on the results of this trial. In 

 the meantime, the Agricultural Research Service redirected some on-going research 



