We introduce a new idea, that recovery capacity is an important trait in cotton resistance to insect damage. We developed an index of recovery capacity that can be measured in short, simple and inexpensive glasshouse experiments. Using this index, we show that: A considerable variability exists among cotton genotypes in their capacity for recovery. - A substantial proportion of variation among cotton genotypes in yield losses due to insects, including Helicoverpa and mirids, can be accounted for the variability in their recovery capacity.