After about 50 years of eradication efforts, the end is likely near for the eradication of the western Cotton Belt's number one pest threat - the pink bollworm insect - which has cost cotton growers millions and millions of dollars in lost income.

“I believe that we have accomplished eradication,” says Clyde Sharp, an Arizona cotton grower and one of many western Cotton Belt leaders who have worked so hard to eradicate the "pinkie."

These photos are a look at the people and science which combined have led toward the demise of the pink bollworm in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas.

Official eradication could be declared in 2017 if no native pinkies are found in traps between now and then.