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SPECIAL INSECTS OF REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE 



CORN EARWORM (Heliothis zea ) - WISCONSIN - Eggs numerous on late sweet corn in 

 southern Marinette County. All plants infested at 2 of 3 locations; eggs averaged 

 3 per silk. Many eggs hatched on September 14 and first instar larvae in silk 

 channels; some second instar larvae reached ear tips. (Wis. Ins. Sur.). DELAWARE - 

 Adults averaged 35 per night in blacklight traps in Sussex County and larvae heavy 

 on late-planted sweet corn in central Sussex County. (Burbutis, Lesiewicz) . 

 MARYLAND - Moths ranged 12-40 per night at Centreville, Queen Annes County. 

 Light (2-3 percent) in soybeans in Wicomico and Worcester Counties. First and 

 second instars light on snap beans in Caroline and Wicomico Counties. (U. Md., 

 Ent. Dept.). VIRGINIA - Damage light in most areas. (Allen), Damage to soybeans 

 occurred in few areas, larvae feeding almost exclusively on pods, (Hof master) , 

 KENTUCKY - Damaged corn in Fayette County. Larvae ranged 4-5 per ear at one 

 location on late corn, (Barnc tt) , TENNESSEE - Surveys indicate no economic damage 

 to soybeans, (Gordon et al.). SOUTH CAROLINA - Continues to damage soybeans. 

 Numerous larvae diseased. (Thomas) . ARKANSAS - Few fields treated in Lafayette 

 County. Danger to soybeans ended for season. Controls applied to fewer fields in 

 1971 than in previous years. (Boyer) . COLORADO - Ear infestations of this species 

 and Spodoptera f rugiperda (fall armyworm) ranged 0-100 percent (average 40.6 

 percent) in Arkansas Valley corn. (Schweissing) . 



GREENBUG (Schizaphis graminum ) - WASHINGTON - Survey of wheatf ields in Benton 

 and Franklin Counties revealed single winged female with young in one Franklin 

 County location. (Klostermeyer) . COLORADO - Continues light or none in Arkansas 

 Valley area. Parasitism at 50 percent. Damage most severe in late sorghum. Most 

 sorghum lightly damaged. (Schweissing). TEXAS - Very light in Trans-Pecos area, 

 less than 25 per sorghum plant in most fields, (Neeb) . 



SPOTTED ALFALFA APHID (Therioaphis maculata ) - COLORADO - Ranged 0-2,000 per 100 

 sweeps of alfalfa in Arkansas Valle3^ (Schweissing) , 



TOBACCO HORNWORM (Manduca sexta ) - KENTUCKY - Damaged tobacco in Scott and 

 Fayette Counties. Larvae averaged 17 per 20 plants in Clark County and 8 per. 50 

 plants in Fayette County. (Barnett) . 



CORN, SORGHUM, SUGARCANE 



Banks Grass Mite Situation in the Trans-Pecos Area of Texas 



Banks grass mite (Oligonychus pratensis ) has been serious pest in Trans-Pecos area 

 since 1967. Prior to that time present, but could be controlled with most miticides 

 cleared for use on grain sorghum. Control was difficult in Dell City and Ft. 

 Stockton areas in 1969. By 1969, most miticides were ineffective and damage was 

 heavy on grain sorghum in all areas of Trans-Pecos except El Paso Valley. 



During 1970, the entire Trans-Pecos area had damage on grain sorghum and silage 

 corn. The El Paso Valley has substantial grain sorghum acreage for first time in 



1970. Only a small portion of grain sorghum planted in 1969 in Ft. Stockton area 

 was planted in 1970 because of 0. pratensis . 



The 1971 situation was severe in El Paso Valley, especially on corn for tortilla 

 meal and foliage. Infestations on corn were noted at an earlier stage (pre-tassel) ; 

 however, previously heavy populations were not noted until post-tassel in corn 

 and after boot stage in grain sorghum. Most of the grain sorghum in El Paso Valley 

 was planted late and O. pratensis has moved from corn into grain sorghum. Sorghum 

 fields near corn were most heavily damaged. 



This pest has not been a serious problem in Dell City area or Pecos Valley during 



1971. Infestations are now present in these areas but rains and cool cloudy 

 weather have apparently slowed population development. (Pate). 



