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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 6, I960 



INSECT SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 3 



This is the third in a series of weekly bulletins on the general insect 

 situation in Illinois (fruit insects excepted), prepared by entomologists of the 

 Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois College of Agriculture, and 

 cooperating agencies. It is designed to forewarn people in Illinois of impending 

 changes in insect activity and suggests abbreviated control measures. These reports 

 indicate only general trends. Each individual should check his own fields to deter- 

 mine local conditions. 



Spittlebugs : Hatch of overwintering eggs has progressed during the week 

 in northern Illinois, where this insect is expected to be the most numerous. The 

 optimum period for control of this insect with insecticides will be the week of 

 May 9. After this, results will be less satisfactory and residues more of a problem. 

 To warrant the expense, there should be an average of at least one spittlebug nymph 

 per stem. Even with this number, only about 250 to 300 pounds of dry hay per acre 

 will be saved. Higher numbers of bugs will reduce yields more. 



One-fourth pound of lindane or one pounds of methoxychlor controls spittle- 

 bugs. Do not apply lindane within 30 days of harvest or pasture, or methoxychlor 

 within 1 week of harvest or pasture. 



Clover leaf weevil6 : Populations of this insect vary considerably, but 

 even in fields of high populations in the south half of the state, the clover seems 

 to be growing away from the damage. In the north half of the state, an occasional 

 field is still being damaged, but with favorable growing conditions even the more 

 heavily infested fields should recuperate reasonably well. It is probably too late 

 for these fields to profit from control measures. 



Pea aphids ; These insects are quite abundant in some alfalfa fields in 

 southern Illinois, but in most instances damage is not apparent. They are beginning 

 to appear in small numbers in northern Illinois. Since alfalfa will be harvested in 

 10 days or so in the southern area, the expense of control is questionable. Lady 

 beetles, lady beetle larvae, wasp parasites and fungus disease are beginning to kill 

 aphids. Humid, warm weather would be favorable for these natural enemies of aphids. 



If insecticide applications should be required, apply 1 pound of malathion, 

 l/k pound of parathion, l/k pound of phosdrin or 1/8 pound of demeton. Allow one 

 week between treatment and harvest when using malathion, 1 day with phosdrin, 15 days 

 with parathion and 21 days with demeton, which should be applied only once per cut- 

 ting. Parathion, demeton and phosdrin should be applied only by an applicator 

 experienced in handling toxic organic phosphates. 



Soil insecticides : After corn is planted, it is difficult to control 

 wireworms, cutworms, grubs and other insects feeding on the corn plant below the 

 soil surface. If aldrin or heptachlor is to be used, apply now. Broadcast 1 1/2 

 pounds of aldrin or heptachlor per acre, and disk it in immediately. This applica- 

 tion can be made any time before corn is planted. Row applications of 1 pound of 

 the insecticide per acre at planting did not control black cutworms or grape colaspis 

 satisfactorily last year, but did provide good protection against the other insects 

 in the soil. 



Face flies : This livestock pest appeared in Illinois for the first time 

 in July 1959 and was collected from the faces of fattle in central Illinois this week. 

 Although numbers were low, it T$S [Ig^fl^ff^ft the fly will be a pest by mid-June, if 



MAY 5 I960 



