-3- 



Spider mite injury has been appearing on evergreens, especially in founda- 

 tion plantings around homes. These minute eight-legged mites are usually red spider 

 mites, spruce spider mites or some similar form. The evergreens will show pale 

 patches and even some killing of branches. Silken threads of webbing are usually 

 present. For positive detection, hold a sheet of white paper or white dish under a 

 branch and shake the branch sharply. If spider mites are present, you will be able 

 to see them moving about on the white background. Three miticides, Aramite, dicofol 

 (Kelthane) or chlorobenzilate, will give control. Malathion can also be used. Thor- 

 ough spray coverage is important. 



Caution : Before applying insecticides, read the labels carefully and fol- 

 low all precautions. This not only will insure personal safety, but will also elimi- 

 nate residue hazards. 



***** 



Special Note to Careless Sprayers (NOT FOR PUBLICATION) 



You are not listening to warnings. Therefore, please give the following 

 message to your family doctor. 



Some orchardists, commercial vegetable gardeners and custom sprayers are 

 complacent and careless. They no longer respect certain highly toxic organic phos- 

 phates, since they have used them for some time with no trouble. Among these organo- 

 phosphates are the parathions, azinphosmethyl (Guthion), the demetons (Systox and 

 Di-Syston), phorate (Thimet) and others. 



We say to wear rubber or plastic gloves and other protective clothing when 

 handling and mixing these concentrates. Some people are handling them bare-handed 

 and then even rolling cigarettes. They are also disregarding other precautions listed 

 on the container. 



Doctor, when your patient arrives, decontaminate him with soap and water 

 and inject (severe cases) atropine sulfate. Underdosing has failed. The Clinical 

 Handbook of Economic Poisons says one treatment to use in severe cases is "Atropine 

 sulfate, 2 to k mg. (l/30tol/15 grain) intravenously as soon as cyanosis is over- 

 come. Repeat at 5- to 10-minute intervals until signs of atropinization appear (dry, 

 flushed skin and tachycardia as high as 1^0 per minute)." 



We have had four suspected (not confirmed) cases of minor symptoms reported 

 to us this week. If you want to be careless, that is up to you. But please give your 

 doctor the above information first. 



Farm Advisers' Special Notice (NOT FOR PUBLICATION) 



We will meet at the following farm advisers' offices, at 1:00 p.m. on the 

 dates listed, for field meetings on chinch bugs and other current insect pests: 



June 1 - Tuscola 

 June 2 - Clinton 

 June 3 - Watseka 



********** 



Prepared by K. B. Petty, Steve Moore, Roscoe Randell and Clarence E. White 

 Extension Entomologists, University of Illinois College of Agriculture 

 and Illinois Natural History Survey 



********** 



H. B. Petty 

 Extension Specialist 

 in Entomology 



