FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, I963 



INSECT SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 2 



This is the second 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 in Illinois of impending 

 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. 



Spittlebug hatch is well advanced in northern Illinois. These newly 

 hatched nymphs are still very small, and the froth in which they are enclosed is 

 about the size of a raindrop. The spittlebug population is lower than it has been 

 for several years and no important damage is expected,but an occasional field 

 may profit from control measures if the extra hay is needed. To determine need for 

 treatment, carefully examine 10 stems of clover or alfalfa in each of five places 

 in a field. Unless you find an average of one or more spittlebug nymphs per stem, 

 treatment will not be profitable. 



If control measures are needed, apply one pound of methoxychlor or l/k 

 pound of lindane per acre. Allow one week to elapse between treatment with methoxy- 

 chlor and harvest as hay or use as pasture, and 30 days when using lindane. 



For profitable control, insecticides should be applied no later than 

 May 10 if growing conditions remain about normal for this time of year. 



Clover leaf weevil feeding is becoming more apparent in some fields, but 

 with reasonably warm weather and moisture the clover will rapidly grow away from 

 this feeding damage. Also, warm weather will promote a fungus disease of this in- 

 sect that normally kills a high percentage of the weevils. However, if use of 

 insecticides becomes necessary to protect the clover, those recommended for spittle- 

 bug will control this pest also, 



Sawfly larvae are now being found in wheat fields. Do not confuse these 

 green to yellow, velvety-appearing, almost transparent larvae with the true armyworm, 

 which is a striped worm. Furthermore, sawfly larvae have prolegs or false legs on 

 six or more abdominal segments; true armyworms have prolegs on only four abdominal 

 segments. Although sawfly larvae feed on the wheat leaves, damage will have little 

 if any effect on wheat production. 



Elm leaf beetles are about l/k inch long with yellowish legs and antennae. 

 The body is dirty yellow. These beetles have spent the winter in protected areas 

 alongside and in buildings. They are leaving hibernating quarters, and many will 

 migrate into homes. They do no damage but are very annoying. 



Clover mites look like tiny red to brown specks, but they move around. 

 They hibernate behind weatherboards and in the void spaces of house walls. With 

 warm weather, they are now leaving these hibernating quarters. Some enter the 

 house, and others migrate to the outside. They do no damage in the house, but they 

 are annoying to many people. 



To prevent recurrence this fall and next spring, remove all weeds and 

 grass next to the foundation, leaving a strip of bare soil about 18 to 2^ inches 

 wide. This strip can be planted to flowers. 



ADD 9G 



