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FOF. IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, I962 



INSECT SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 6 



These weekly "bulletins, prepared "by entomologists of the University of 

 Illinois College of Agriculture, Illinois Natural History Survey and cooperating 

 agencies, report general trends in insect populations in Illinois (fruit insects 

 excepted). Check your own fields to determine local conditions. 



Arinyworms are numerous in an occasional winter "barley field in southern 

 Illinois, The worms are about half grown. No large numbers, however, have as yet 

 been found in wheat or grass. 



As a precautionary measure, check grain fields with particularly luxuri- 

 ant growth. First look beneath the down spots. If worms are numerous, examine 

 the rest of the field. Also check luxuriant timothy or other grass fields. 



If there is an average of six worms (l/2 inch or longer) or more per 

 linear foot of drill row, treatment will be profitable. Toxaphene, 1 l/2 pounds, or 

 dieldrin, l/k pound per acre, is recommended for small grains. Allow 7 days be- 

 tween treatment with dieldrin and harvest, and 7 days for toxaphene on wheat but 

 1^4- days on barley. 



For beef pastures, use toxaphene, but allow 28 days between last grazing 

 and slaughter, or k2 days if the animals are being sprayed with toxaphene. For 

 dairy pastures, use 1 1/2 pounds of Sevin or 2 pounds of methoxychlor per acre. 

 Sevin has no waiting period, but do not graze cattle for 7 days when using methoxy- 

 chlor. 



Gr asshoppers are beginning to hatch in the southern half of Illinois. 

 Check for this pest in ditchbanks, roadsides, fence rows, grass waterways and sim- 

 ilar areas. If they are present in large numbers, plan to apply l/8 pound of diel- 

 drin or 1 1/2 pounds of toxaphene to areas where the crop will not be grazed or 

 used as hay for dairy cattle or fattening livestock. 



Some grasshoppers are also hatching in clover fields. 'The peak of this 

 hatch will probably occur in about two weeks in southern and central Illinois and 

 three weeks in northern Illinois if the weather continues unseasonably warm. Check 

 your hay fields shortly after the first cutting. If small grasshoppers are abun- 

 dant ( six or more per square yard), apply 3/^ pound of Sevin or 1 pound of mala- 

 thion per acre. No interval is required between treatment with Sevin and harvest 

 as hay or pasture. A "J-day period between treatment and harvest is required for 

 mala thion. 



Corn borers are developing about one week earlier than usual throughout 

 most of Illinois. Some moths have emerged as far north as central Illinois this 

 week. It is still too early to judge accurately, but it appears now that only a 

 few of the most advanced fields may have damaging infestations. 



Flea beetles are feeding on corn in southern Illinois. No damage has been 

 observed. However, if there are fields where plants are being killed by this insect, 

 apply 1 l/2 pounds of DDT per acre. 



Leafhoppers are tiny green wedge-shaped insects that suck sap from alfalfa 

 plants. Plants that are severely attacked may turn yellow to purple and are often 

 stunted, decreasing the quality and quantity of hay, Populations are 1$ 8£|$fiAR »*"8f JW 



MAY 2G 1562 



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