Brad Haire This is a list of common cotton insects in the order they might appear in cotton fields over the course of a season. For the most part in recent years, insects haven't caused Alabama cotton growers too much hardship. Good scouting, wise management decisions and cooperative weather help. It's too early to know what 2021 will bring. Weather between now, planting and harvest will influence that. But now's a good time to get reacquainted with the usual suspects. In late January, Alabama Extension entomologists Ron Smith and Scott Graham provided Southeast Farm Press with a list of common cotton insects in the order they might appear in cotton fields over the course of a season.