FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 15, 1962 



INSECT SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 9 



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. 



Grasshoppers : The situation remains spotted, varying greatly from one 

 locality to another, and requires separate evaluations. Here are some general field 

 observations: 



A correction on last week's bulletin: Grasshoppers are abundant in 

 southern Illinois. Although infestations are not so general there as in other areas 

 of the state, the problem apparently is severe where they are present. 



Hatch from overwintering eggs is probably near an end in south and south - 

 central Illinois, is still going on in central Illinois and has just started in 

 northern Illinois. Hard, beating rains during the next 10 days may help to control 

 the small grasshoppers. No evidence of grasshopper diseases has been seen. 



Hard rains a week ago probably killed many 'hoppers, making the infesta- 

 tion more spotted and difficult to outline. 



In many areas grasshoppers are still very small and difficult to see. 

 Close examination is required to detect them. 



Grasshoppers were abundant in soybean fields in many places last August 

 and September, and in some cases deposited eggs there. Small 'hoppers are now 

 feeding on crops planted in these fields. Noticeable feeding and damage were ob- 

 served this week in both soybeans and corn following soybeans. 



Grasshoppers are now hatching in hay fields where the first cutting has 

 been removed and the second growth is several inches tall. They will remain until 

 the second crop is cut and then migrate to adjacent crops. 



In many localities, roadsides, fence rows, grass waterways, ditch banks, 

 and similar areas have high concentrations of small grasshoppers that are migrating 

 now into field margins of soybeans, corn and new seedings. 



Applying chemicals when grasshoppers are small provides better control 

 with less chemical than when treatments are made later. 



If small 'hoppers are extremely numerous in diverted acres, fence rows, 

 ditch banks, grass waterways, roadsides, and similar areas, apply l/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. Aldrin or heptachlor can 

 also be used in these areas at l/k- lb. per acre. 



If treating hay crops or pastures, use 1 lb. of malathion or 3/^ to 1 1/2 

 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 1/2 

 lb. per acre, with a 7-day interval between application and harvest. Dibrom, a 

 comparatively new insecticide, can be used on alfalfa or red clover hay or pasture. 

 Allow k days to elapse between treatment and harvest. 



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