FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 2h, 196k 



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 re- 

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

 determine local conditions. 



Spittlebugs are now hatching. Extreme northwestern Illinois counties had 

 the highest populations in the state last fall. If you are interested in maximum hay 

 production, the time to apply insecticides is now. However, for chemical control to 

 be profitable, you should find an average of at least one nymph per stem. To de- 

 termine the number present, sample stems from several areas in the field. Examine 

 leaf sheaths, folded leaves and stems for the tiny yellow to orange nymphs that will 

 be in tiny droplets of froth. If insecticides are needed, apply 1 pound of actual 

 methoxychlor per acre and allow one week to elapse between application and harvest or 

 grazing. 



Armyworm moths are becoming more abundant. These moths migrate from the 

 southern states, and the migration continues for several weeks. This is a typical 

 armyworm spring --wet and cool. 



The moths will deposit eggs for several weeks. The first moths that arrive 

 lay eggs in timothy and bluegrass fields. A little later they select winter barley 

 and rye for egg-laying. When the main flight occurs, winter wheat is in an attrac- 

 tive stage of growth. 



The abundance of armyworms can not be predetermined by extent of moth 

 flight, but only by numbers of worms in fields the latter part of May. 



Lesser clover leaf weevils are more abundant than usual in clover fields. 

 The young burrow into clover stems behind leaf sheaths; infested stems wilt and break 

 over at the point of feeding. No control measures are known. 



Spring cankerworms will soon be feeding on the new elm buds. These meas- 

 uring worms when present in damaging numbers can be controlled with sprays of lead 

 arsenate . 



Face flies will soon leave hibernating areas and will appear suddenly on 

 cattle in pasture. These overwintering flies mate and lay eggs for the first spring 

 generation. Fly development is slow; it takes several weeks for the first new flies 

 to appear. Control the few face flies now, and help to prevent a buildup later. 



Dairymen can use a 2.0$ ciodrin oil-base spray at 1 to 2 ounces per animal 

 as needed or a brush-on face bait containing 0.2$ DDVP in corn sirup. 



For beef cattle, the ciodrin oil-base spray is practical only if applied 

 with an automatic sprayer, because frequent treatments are needed; 5.0$ toxaphene in 

 mineral oil used in a backrubber will help to hold face flies in check on pastured 

 beef cattle. Allow 28 days to elapse between treatment with toxaphene and slaughter 

 of the animals. THE UBRAW ® W 



APR 27 Vffc. 



