Insects in cotton fields form a diverse and volatile community. Room (1979) collected some 500 species of insect (plus spiders) in Australian cotton fields. Some (the ones we notice most) are pests.

Various parasitoids are active on cotton crops from early seedling growth right through to defoliation.

The value of lucerne as a trap crop for cotton pests has been recognised in America for some time (Deloach and Peters 1972, Robinson et al. 1972, Sevacherian and Stern 1974).

Various parasitoids of heliothis have been considered in integrated pest management programs throughout the world.

The residual action of nine insecticides commonly used in cotton were assessed on the survival of the native egg parasitoid Trichogramma funiculatum by exposing adult wasps to sprayed cotton leaves 1, 3, 5, 7, 1 O and