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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July ffl-. l^oL 



INSECT SURVEY BULLETIN NO. l4 "'"W&Ffar 



This weekly "bulletin on the general insect situation in Illinois (fruit w « 

 insects excepted) is prepared "by entomologists of the Illinois Natural History j 8 ^r -^ , |||J||t 

 vey, University of Illinois College of Agriculture and cooperating agencies. It llr*** 

 designed to forewarn people in Illinois of inrpending changes in insect activity and 

 to suggest abbreviated control measures. These reports indicate only general 

 trends. Each individual should check his own fields to determine local conditions. 



Grasshoppers are abundant in spots throughout the state. In some in- 

 stances they are moving from fence rows and ditch banks into the edges of soybean 

 and corn fields. Where they are still concentrated in ditch banks, fence rows, 

 grass waterways and similar areas, apply 1 1/2 pounds of toxaphene or l/h pound of 

 dieldrin per acre. For corn or soybeans, use 1 ounce of aldrin or dieldrin or 

 1 1/2 pounds of toxaphene. When using aldrin or dieldrin, allow 1*0 days to elapse 

 "between treatment and harvest. Do not feed toxaphene-treated forage to dairy ani- 

 mals or animals "being finished for slaughter. Use one pound of malathion per acre 

 on forage crops or pastures for dairy cattle. Allow one week to elapse "between 

 treatment with malathion and harvest or pasture. 



Leafhoppers , tiny, wedged- shaped green insects, are abundant in alfalfa. 

 Damaged fields are purplish-yellow, and plants are stunted. Control of leafhoppers 

 will not "be profitable after the damage becomes evident. Mow the field and examine 

 the new shoots. If the wingless leafhopper nymphs are numerous, apply 1 pound of 

 methoxychlor per acre. Do not treat within one week of harvest or pasture. 



Face flies are "becoming more numerous, and severe eye infections of cattle 

 have been reported. Observe cattle in the pasture during the middle of the day. If 

 there are three to five flies clustering around the eyes and nostrils, start fly 

 control immediately. Use DDVP face fly baits on animals that can be handled. On 

 non-dairy animals that can not be handled, use % toxaphene in a backrubber. Do not 

 apply toxaphene within 28 days of slaughter. 



Picnic beetles or scavenger beetles are about l/h inch long, shiny black 

 and have four yellow to orange spots on their backs. These beetles are attracted 

 to the odor of food and are particularly annoying at picnics or outdoor barbecues. 

 They also swarm onto overripe or injured fruits and vegetables in gardens. 



Keep gardens and berry patches free of overripe and rotting fruits and 

 vegetables. As fruits and vegetables become ripe, pick them Immediately. Prevent- 

 ing injury from other insects will help to reduce the numbers of these pests on 

 vegetable and fruit farms. Sprays of diazinon or malathion help to control them, 

 but it may be necessary to repeat applications as beetles migrate into the area. 

 Follow labels on containers for time intervals between treatment and harvest. 



Control of beetles in backyards and picnic areas is difficult. Either 

 malathion or diazinon applied to bushes, around garbage pails and in similar areas 

 a few hours before serving food is of temporary benefit only. Beetles may be 

 attracted to the food from quite a distance and fly in over the sprayed surfaces 

 directly to the food. 



Yellow clover aphids are abundant in occasional fields of red clover, 

 particularly in the southeastern part of the state, where some damage has been 

 noticed. These yellow aphids become abundant on the lower part of the plant and 

 then slowly migrate to the upper part. If control is needed, use one pound of 

 malathion per acre, but not within one week of harvest. 



