European corn borer survival was higher than normal this past winter. The inci- 

 dence of parasitism and disease among the borers is also low, so borers are healthy. 

 Overwintering populations are high and present a potentially serious problem in the 

 area west of a line from Savana to Pontiac to Petersburg to Chester, Illinois. 

 However, strong winds or beating rains when overwintering moths are emerging could 

 still eliminate the problem. 



If possible, plow cornstalks cleanly. This will eliminate over 99 percent of the 

 overwintering borers. Thorough disking, stalk choppers, or shredders should be 

 used on stalk fields that are not plowed. This will eliminate about 92 percent 

 of the overwintering borers. Plant hybrids adapted to your area. If you plant 

 early in the threatened area, plan on applying an insecticide to prevent corn borer 

 damage. Midseason plantings of corn will have less injury from both first and 

 second generation corn borer. 



Fungus gnats are numerous in wheat fields, particularly wheat grown on soybean 

 stubble. These small gnat -like flies are developing in wet, decaying organic mat- 

 ter and are not pests of the wheat plant. They also manage to crawl through win- 

 dow screens and become a nuisance in homes. A 0.1 -percent pyrethrin space spray 

 applied from a pressurized spray can gives quick knockdown and relief. 



Spring oankerworms will be hatching soon and stripping the leaves of many decidu- 

 ous trees. They particularly like American elms and apple trees, but will attack 

 other fruit and shade trees. Sometimes these brown to dark- green to black measur- 

 ing worms completely strip trees of their new spring foliage, while other trees 

 are only partly defoliated. When full-grown, the worms drop to the ground by means 

 of a silken thread which appears like a streamer in the wind. By this time, it is 

 too late for control. For best results, spray the tree while the worms are still 

 small. Either use carbaryl (Sevin) with two pounds of 50-percent wettable powder 

 in 100 gallons of water, or lead arsenate with four pounds per 100 gallons of water. 



Elm leaf beetle adults in the southern half of the state have overwintered in par- 

 titions of homes successfully. These 1/4 -inch long, smoky, yellow or green bee- 

 tles are usually found between the storm and inside window. They are now moving 

 outside to lay eggs on the leaves of Chinese elm trees. It would help to leave 

 the outer window partly open so that the beetles have ready access to the outside. 



To control elm leaf beetles, brush or spray the inside window casements with either 

 5-percent DDT, or 0.5-percent dieldrin in oil. Once the beetles are found in the 

 house itself, use a vacuum cleaner to pick them up or spray them with 0.1-percent 

 pyrethrin from a pressurized spray can. 



Clover mites are annoying in some homes. These mites are tiny, orange- to-black 

 moving specks about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. They cover 

 furniture, walls, curtains, window sills, etc. in attempting to find their way 

 outdoors. Pick them up with a vacuum cleaner or use an 0.1-percent pyrethrin spray 

 from a pressurized spray can for quick knockdown. Before fall, remove grass, clo- 

 ver, and weeds next to the foundation- -leaving a strip of bare soil at least 18 

 inches wide. Replanting this strip to such flowers as zinnia, marigold, chrysanthe- 

 mum, rose, or salvia (which do not attract clover mites) will prevent clover mite 

 problems next year. 



