Although Arizona has a strong track record of managing invasive insects in cotton, experts like University of Arizona Extension Entomologist Peter Ellsworth are raising red flags over what may be on the horizon. Ellsworth is warning cotton growers, ginners, and pest control advisors to stay vigilant about two insects not yet confirmed in Arizona: the two-spot cotton leafhopper-also called the cotton jassid (Amrasca biguttula)-and the cotton seed bug.

The two-spot leafhopper is identified by a dark spot on each wing and has recently appeared in cotton fields across Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Extension specialists in the Southeast are already linking the pest to serious plant injuries in high-density infestations. Ellsworth notes that the speed of its spread is alarming, particularly as it threatens both yield potential and plant vigor.

While the cotton seed bug hasn't yet been detected in Arizona's cotton fields, it's already found a foothold in ornamental plants in the Los Angeles Basin and Riverside, California. Since ornamentals are frequently transported across regions, this raises the risk of accidental introduction into agricultural zones like Arizona's cotton-producing areas.

Ellsworth recently distributed samples of the leafhopper-gathered from other U.S. researchers-to the Arizona Department of Agriculture and spoke with farmers during a field day in Central Arizona to prepare stakeholders for a possible incursion. "This is about early warning," Ellsworth emphasized. "We need to understand these pests before they arrive."

One of the major concerns isn't just feeding damage. The cotton seed bug poses a quality issue-it excretes or leaks a red dye-like substance when crushed, potentially staining the cotton fiber and lowering bale value. Ellsworth is encouraging cotton gins to familiarize themselves with this risk and begin thinking proactively about how to prevent contamination.

Although some insecticides are likely effective against these pests, Arizona's cotton ecosystem also includes six known beneficial predator insects that may help keep populations in check. However, how well these natural enemies will perform against the cotton jassid or seed bug remains unclear until the pests arrive.

For now, Arizona's cotton industry is being asked to stay alert and informed. With proactive education, early detection, and coordinated response, the state hopes to avoid the worst-case scenario already developing in parts of the Southeast.