FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 29, i960 



INSECT SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 2 <^/ 





This is the second 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 of 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 : Tiny spittlebugs that overwintered as eggs are now appearing 

 in legume fields in northern Illinois. With hatch of overwintering eggs just start- 

 ing this week, no estimates can be made as to the final population. However, the 

 heaviest infestation is expected to be in the area north of a line from Whiteside to 

 DuPage counties. If insecticides are to be used for control, apply them this week 

 and probably no later than May 10. An average minimum population of 1 spittlebug 

 nymph per stem is required before insecticides are advised. Even with this number, 

 only about 250 to 300 pounds of dry hay per acre will be saved. Higher numbers of 

 bugs will have greater effect on hay production. 



One-fourth pound of lindane or one pound 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 weevils : Populations of this insect vary considerably but even 

 in fields of high populations, the clover seems to be growing away from their leaf 

 feeding, and with favorable growing conditions, only a very occasional field will 

 suffer any damage. 



Pea aphids : Populations are increasing in the southern one-third of Illi- 

 nois. Observe off -color and slow growing alfalfa. If aphids are packing on the new 

 growth, apply 1 pound of malathion, l/k pound of parathion or phosdrin, or l/8 pound 

 of demeton per acre before the plants wilt and the leaves curl. Allow one week be- 

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

 parathion, and 21 days with demeton. Only one application of demeton can be made 

 per cutting, Demeton, parathion, and phosdrin should be applied only by an applica- 

 tor experienced in handling toxic organic phosphates. 



Cutworms : With reports of occasional cutworms appearing in early corn in 

 southern Illinois, and with the black cutworm experience in 1959; consideration 

 should be given to uee of soil insecticides. Broadcast 1 1/2 pounds of aldrin or 

 heptachlor per acre and disk it in immediately. This application can be made any 

 time before corn is planted. Row applications of insecticides at planting did not 

 control black cutworms satisfactorily last year. 



Corn borers : Despite weather conditions, this pest survived the winter as 

 successfully as in the past and seems to be more abundant in corn stalks than in 

 previous years. Close observations will be made on the progress of this pest for 

 the next several weeks. 



Sweet clover weevils : These snout beetles that often destroy spring seed- 

 ings of sweet clover are present in numbers. Apply l/h pound of actual dieldrin 

 or l/2 pound of actual heptachlor per acre in granular form at, or shortly after, 

 seeding. This aids in preventing damage. 



