1. Introduction
Cotton is an important cash crop in India occupies 11.6 million hectare area which is the largest
acreage in the world. However, wide gaps exist in productivity due to a number of biotic and
abiotic stresses that are difficult to manage due to late and improper diagnosis of the problem.
Since 2002, as a result of widespread cultivation of hybrids, crop management practices have
changed, and become more input-intensive. Moreover, the homogeneity of genotypes in the form
of hybrids across vast areas favoured build-up of epidemics. As a result, many minor insects have
emerged as major problems threatening cotton cultivation. Prior to the introduction of Bts, the
cohabitant sucking pests were suppressed with the insecticides applied for the control of
bollworms.