FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 8, 1962 



INSECT SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 8 



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. 



Grasshopper populations are about the same as they were last week. They 

 are not so numerous in the southern l/3 of the state as in the northern 2/3, and 

 even here the infestations are spotted. In some areas there are only a few, but 

 in many others they are extremely abundant in fence rows, ditch banks and similar 

 areas. 



The next few weeks will be important in determining survival. Hard, beat- 

 ing rains would kill the small 'hoppers. 



Examine diverted acres, fence rows, ditch banks, grass waterways, road- 

 sides, and similar areas. If small 'hoppers are extremely numerous, apply 1/8 lb. 

 of dieldrin or 1 1/2 lb. of toxaphene to areas that will not be grazed or used as 

 hay for dairy animals or livestock fattening for slaughter. 



Check hay fields soon after cutting. If 'hoppers are feeding in new 

 growth, use 1 lb. of malathion or 3/U to 1 l/2 lb. of Sevin. (From now on the rate 

 of Sevin depends on the size of the grasshoppers.) Allow one week to elapse 

 between application of malathion and grazing or cutting. No interval is required 

 with Sevin. Diazinon can be used on alfalfa only, at l/2 lb. per acre, with a 

 7-day interval between application and harvest. Dibrom, a comparatively new in- 

 secticide, can be used on alfalfa or red clover hay or pasture. Allow h days to 

 elapse between treatment and harvest. 



Grasshoppers are easier to control and the cost is lower when they are 

 small and concentrated in limited areas than when they are almost full grown and are 

 scattered over entire fields. 



Black cutworm damage to corn is now being reported in northern Illinois. 

 If the stand is worth saving, apply l/2 lb. of dieldrin, l/h pound of endrin or 

 3 pounds of toxaphene per acre; use as much water per acre as possible. Concentrate 

 the spray at the base of the plants. Cultivate right away, throwing dirt into the 

 row on top of the sprayed strip. 



Corn borer emergence is earlier than it has been for the past few years, 

 but corn development is also a few days earlier. Egg laying started in field corn 

 this week and will probably continue for the next 10 days to two weeks in central 

 and northern Illinois. 



Observe particularly advanced fields for the next few weeks, as borers 

 could concentrate there. 



Sweet corn, particularly early market, should be treated as soon as 

 borer eggs begin hatching. In many areas hatch has already occurred, and whorl 

 and early tassel feeding is evident. 



