Cotton stickiness is a worldwide contamination problem. Stickiness is caused by sugar deposits produced either by the cotton plant itself or, most commonly, by honeydew from insects feeding on the cotton, usually aphids and whiteflies. Sticky cotton can cause residue to build up on textile equipment, leading to losses in productivity and quality.Following a general overview of cotton stickiness, the authors evaluate various detection methods, including chemical tests and physical tests, and review the advantages and limitations of high-speed stickiness detectors. They also discuss the effect...