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Newly hatched armyworms were found in spots of luxuriant wheat in some 

 fields of southern and southwestern Illinois this week. It will he at least another 

 week or perhaps two before the population can he assessed correctly. Cool weather 

 will favor this pest. 



Chinch bugs are leaving hibernating quarters and will soon concentrate in 

 weak, thin stands of small grains. They will not become established for several days. 



Thin stands of small grain as well as rye cover crops will soon be plowed 

 down and planted to corn. Chinch bugs or small armyworms that were feeding on these 

 grain plants will then attack the small corn plants. Be aware of this possibility 

 and check for these pests before plowing down the grain. 



Corn borer pupation reached 50 percent in extreme southern Illinois this 

 week. The first moth emergence was also recorded. Thus peak egg laying will probably 

 take place in late May and early June in this area. Wo pupation has been recorded in 

 other areas of the state. 



Caution : Before applying insecticides, read the labels carefully and follow 

 all precautions. This not only will insure personal safety, but will also eliminate 

 residue hazards. 



Special Note to Newspapers and Radio and Television Stations (NOT FOR PUBLICATION) 



An early brief summary (1:40) of these weekly newsletters is available each 

 Friday for mass media only. The summary gives only the highlights. We hope you will 

 continue to use these in-depth written reports and will contact yovtr local farm ad- 

 viser for the local angle. The summary reports are set up on an automatic telephone 

 answering device. These reports can be used as broadcast material (have your recorder 

 running! ). 



The telephone number is 217 333-261^- . There will be three reports. The 

 Friday schedule is as follows: (l) Northern Illinois Farm Insect Report from 9:00 to 

 10:30 a.m.; (2) Southern Illinois Farm Insect Report from 10:^5 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; 

 and (3) Home and Picnic Insect Report from 1:15 p.m. Friday through Saturday. 



For more information on these summary reports, contact the Extension Edito- 

 rial Office, 330 Mumford Hall, University of Illinois, Urbana. Phone 217 333-H30. 



Prepared by H. 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 



