% A' 7 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19, 1962 



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 

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

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

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

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

 mine local conditions . 



Clover leaf weevils , which are small green worms with white stripes down 

 their backs, can damage clover during a cool spring. Damage is usually most severe 

 in fields with heavy trash cover. This year populations are higher in the central and 

 western parts of the state than along the east side. Leaf feeding by these weevils 

 was evident this past week. 



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 wee- 

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

 lindane and 7 days when using methoxychlor. 



Pea aphids will present a problem in legume fields if weather remains cool. 

 Low temperatures prevent development of natural enemies of aphids and retard plant 

 growth. If an insecticide is required, the need should be apparent within two weeks. 

 Use 1 pound of malathion, l/U pound of parathion or phosdrin or 1/8 pound of demeton 

 per acre. Allow one week between 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 applicator experienced in handling toxic organic phosphates. 



Meadow maggots are the larvae of a large brown, ungainly looking fly called 

 the crane fly. These maggots may be abundant in southern Illinois in legume fields 

 with heavy trash. It is most likely that they are feeding in the low, wet areas on 

 roots of sedges and grasses, not the legumes. Need for control is questionable. 



E uropean corn borer winter survival is about 75 percent, which is average. 



Face flies are now leaving hibernating areas and can be found on cattle. 

 Although the count is low, we may expect more to appear during the next few weeks. 

 The effect of this past winter on populations of these flies is not known. Therefore, 

 dairymen should observe cattle during grazing and, when the face fly population 

 reaches 5 per face, apply DDVP-sirup face fly bait each morning for about two weeks 

 and thereafter as needed. 



Caution: Before applying insecticides, read the labels carefully and 

 follow all precautions. This not only will insure personal safety, but will also 

 eliminate insecticide residue hazards. 



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

 Extension Service and Illinois Natural History Survey, in cooperation with the USDA 

 Agricultural Service, Plant Pest Control Branch, from information gathered by 

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



