FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 196l 



INSECT SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 1 



This is the first 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. 



General conditions : A cold spring has delayed plant development and in 

 most instances, insect activity as well. With a few days of warm weather, insects 

 will become more active. 



Clover leaf weevils ; Populations of this small green worm with the white 

 to yellow stripe down its back are greater than they have been for the past 3 years. 

 With slow growth of the clovers, damage may become apparent in an occasional field 

 within the next week to 10 days. However, warm weather would stimulate plant growth 

 and damage would not be serious. Populations are lower in southern Illinois than in 

 the rest of the state. 



If feeding becomes severe and plants appear stunted, an application of 



1 1/2 pounds of methoxychlor or l/k pound of lindane per acre will control these 

 weevils. Allow 30 days to elapse between treatment and harvest or pasture when 

 using lindane and 7 days when using methoxychlor. 



Pea aphids : This pest is now appearing in alfalfa fields in southern and 

 central Illinois. If insecticide is required, the need should be apparent within 



2 weeks. Use 1 pound of malathion, l/k pound of parathion or phosdrin or l/8 pound 

 of demeton per acre. Allow one week between treatment and harvest when using mala- 

 thion, 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 applicator experienced in handling toxic organic phos- 

 phates. 



Spittle bugs : An occasional tiny spittlebug can be found in central and 

 south central Illinois. In northern Illinois, where the greatest population occurs, 

 hatching will probably not start for about one week to ten days. 



Sweet clover weevils : Aldrin, heptachlor or dieldrin in granular form may 

 be applied with sweet clover seed or broadcast immediately after seeding to aid in 

 the control of weevils and help establish the clover stand. Use 1/2 pound of actual 

 aldrin or heptachlor or l/k pound of dieldrin per acre. 



Corn soil insects : Applications of aldrin or heptachlor at or prior to 

 planting of corn are generally recommended. Broadcast applications at 1 1/2 pounds 

 of insecticide per acre, disked in immediately, provide more consistent control than 

 row treatments of one pound per acre at planting. However, with average insect in- 

 festations, row treatments have been satisfactory. 



Fungus flies on wheat : For the past 3 weeks, fungus flies have been 

 present by the thousands in wheat fields, particularly wheat on soybean stubble. 

 They are in the decaying organic material and are not pests of the wheat plant. 



Caution : Before applying insecticides, read the labels carefully and fol- 

 low all precautions. This not only will insure personal safety, but also will elimi- 

 nate insecticide residue hazards. 



XX )(i(Xlti CXKX THE LIBRARY 8F TIE 



This weekly report was prepared by H. B. Petty, Illinois Agricultural Ex-^ 

 tension Service and Illinois Natural History Survey, in cooperation with' the USDA' s 

 Agricultural Service, Plant Pest Control Branch, from information gathgjred^g gpSftj^ 1$ 

 mologists and cooperators who send in weekly reports from their own localities.' 



FTRPtfre 



