Preparing for Cotton Jassid in 2026: What Growers Need to Know

By Isaac Esquivel, UF|IFAS Crop Entomologist, and Scott Graham, Auburn Crop Entomologist

Figure 1. Adult Cotton Jassid with visible 2 black spots on the wings and head. Credit: Isaac L. Esquivel

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s this: Cotton Jassid is not a pest that should be underestimated. It appears to be a part of the production landscape across the Southeast, so preparation going into 2026 will be critical for effective management.

–

Rapid Spread and Injury Development

What began as a localized detection in early July 2025 quickly escalated into a region-wide issue. Within approximately four weeks, Cotton Jassid had been detected across roughly 115 counties in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. By the end of the season, it was present in nearly every cotton-producing county in those states. This rate of spread, combined with the level of injury observed in affected fields, highlights the importance of early detection and timely management for the 2026 season.

One of the most consistent observations from 2025 was the speed at which injury developed once detected. Cotton Jassids feed on the underside of leaves, introducing salivary toxins that result in hopperburn. Initial symptoms include subtle discoloration but can be characterized by yellowing, reddening, and eventual browning and curling of leaves. Under continuous pressure, plants may desiccate (dry up) and, in severe cases, shed foliage entirely. The example below in Figure 2 shows the rapid change from only four days of feeding damage in August 2025 from an infestation of 30 jassids/leaf.

–

rapid decline in four days with 30 cotton jassids per leaf — Figure 2. Rapid development of Cotton Jassid feeding, aka hopperburn on a commercial field in Jackson Co., where Drs. Isaac Esquivel and Scott Graham conducted an insecticide trial. Credit: Isaac L. Esquivel

–

Scouting and Threshold-Based Management

Populations tend to build along field borders and on isolated plants before moving further into the field. Sampling should focus on mainstem leaves located three to five nodes below the terminal, with attention given to the underside of leaves where nymphs are present. A minimum of 25 leaves per field is recommended to obtain a representative sample. Nymph counts provide the most reliable basis for management decisions, as they reflect established populations rather than transient adult movement. Weekly scouting should be considered a minimum, with increased frequency under favorable conditions for population growth.

Threshold recommendations evolved during the 2025 season as additional data became available. Initial target thresholds ranged from 3 to 5 nymphs per leaf based on previous literature. However, field observations under southeastern production conditions indicated that injury developed more rapidly than expected. As a result, thresholds were adjusted downward over time.

Current working recommendations support a threshold of approximately 1 jassid per leaf, or the presence of early injury symptoms within the field. Operational considerations should also be taken into account. Where application timing may be delayed due to acreage or equipment constraints, initiating treatment when threshold levels are reached across approximately 30–50% of sampled plants may be appropriate.

–

Yield Impacts and Management Considerations

Data collected across multiple trials in the Southeast indicate that Cotton Jassid infestations can result in measurable yield loss. Across 18 trials, the average yield loss associated with untreated infestations was approximately 13%, with a range from 1% to as high as 46%, depending on infestation timing and severity. Losses were generally greater when infestations occurred later in the season, emphasizing the importance of timely management.

Efficacy trials conducted across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina in 2025 identified several insecticide options that provide moderate to strong control of Cotton Jassid. Products such as Venom, Plinazolin, Carbine, and Bidrin consistently provided higher levels of control, often exceeding 70% under field conditions, while bifenthrin and other pyrethroids provided limited or inconsistent control. For current labeled products and rates, see the Alabama Cotton Production Guide provided by Dr. Scott Graham at Auburn.

Labled products for cotton jassid control — Figure 3. The current labeled products for the Cotton Jassid as of April 2026.

–

Cotton Jassids are also likely to occur alongside other key pests, including thrips, plant bugs, aphids, and stink bugs. Insecticide decisions should therefore account for the full pest complex present in the field, as well as the need to preserve beneficial insects—particularly early in the season—and to rotate modes of action to reduce the risk of resistance development. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Esquivel – Isaac.Esquivel@ufl.edu, Office: 850-875-7146), or your local county agent.