The cereal- leaf beetle preventive spray program was completed on May 15. This is 

 a cooperative program involving the USDA, Plant Pest Control Division, and the 

 Illinois Department of Agriculture. A total of 74,879 acres were treated by air 

 with 4 fluid-ounces per acre of technical malathion (9.7 pounds per gallon); 40,883 

 acres were treated in Vermilion County, 5,120 acres in Kankakee County, and 28,876 

 acres in Will County. These areas were treated last July (1966) when a few, live 

 cereal- leaf beetles were found following the 1966 spring treatment. The treatment 

 just applied will provide further guarantee that the beetle has been eradicated 

 from Illinois for the present. 



Corn Insects 



Black cutworms are damaging corn. Check the low spots in cornfields regularly 

 and watch for missing plants, cut plants, or wilting plants. It may have been 

 too wet in the usual low spots for moth-egg laying, so watch for possible damage 

 on higher ground as well. If the stand is being threatened, apply 5 pounds of 

 toxaphene, 2 pounds of carbaryl (Sevin) , 2 pounds of diazinon (granules preferred 

 and cover by cultivating), or 1 pound of trichlorfon (Dylox) per acre- -directed 

 as a spray at the base of the plants. For best results, use at least 20 gallons 

 of water per acre and cultivate immediately to cover the spray deposit. 



If replanting is necessary, apply and disk- in 5 pounds of aldrin or heptachlor 

 per acre for corn. (Heavier than normal rates are needed for the larger worms.) 

 Do not use aldrin or heptachlor if soybeans are to be planted, or on dairy farms. 

 On dairy farms, broadcast and disk- in 2 pounds of actual diazinon per acre to con- 

 trol cutworms. 



Flea beetles were observed damaging small corn. Newly emerging corn should be 

 watched for the presence of small, shiny, black beetles that jump readily when 

 disturbed and leave white scratch marks on the leaves. For control, apply 5/4 

 pound of carbaryl (Sevin) , or 1 1/2 pounds of toxaphene per acre as a band over 

 the row. Carbaryl would be the preferred material for use on dairy farms. 



Corn borer pupation is complete and moth emergence has reached 20 to 50 percent 

 in the extreme south. In the central section, approximately 10 percent of the 

 borers have pupated. In northern sections, no pupation or moth emergence has 

 occurred. 



In general, borer development in the southern-half of the state is near normal, 



but the corn is more delayed. Therefore, low survival of first -gene rat ion borers 



is expected in this area. It is too soon to assess the situation for the northern- 

 half of the state. 



Soybean Insects 



bean leaf beetles were observed eating holes in the leaves of newly emerging soy- 

 beans in extreme southern sections. Damage was not severe as yet. If control 

 becomes necessary, apply carbaryl (Sevin) or toxaphene. 



Homeowner Insect Problems 



Don't let fleas get a start in and around your home. Fleas develop in debris in 

 the resting areas of dogs and cats. The worm stage (larva) of fleas will live 

 and feed in such places as rugs, upholstered furniture, and dirt in flower and 

 shrubbery beds. The worm stare is usually not noticed and is harmless, but adult 



