FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2, 1964 



INSECT SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 12 



This is the twelfth in a series of weekly bulletins on the general insect 

 situation in Illinois (fruit insects excepted), prepared by entomologists of the Uni- 

 versity of Illinois College of Agriculture, Illinois Natural History Survey and coop- 

 erating agencies. It is designed to forewarn people in I lli nois of impending changes 

 in insect activity and to suggest abbreviated control measures. These reports indi- 

 cate only general trends. Each individual should check his own fields to determine 

 local conditions. 



Corn borers can be found in small numbers in many cornfields and occa- 

 sional moths are still hiding during the day in weedy fence rows and similar protected 

 areas. Although a few egg masses are still being deposited, for all practical pur- 

 poses egg-laying should be complete this week. Survival of the borers now present and 

 those yet to hatch will be high, but only an occasional field of field corn and early 

 sweet corn will have enough borers to justify control measures in western and north- 

 western Illinois. 



Grasshoppers continue to hatch, but no high concentrations were observed this 

 week. Check fence rows, ditch banks and sod areas for newly hatched 'hoppers. 



Chinch bugs are in an occasional field of thin grain in central and eastern 

 Illinois. If they begin to migrate from the grain to corn, apply l/2 pound of actual 

 dieldrin per acre as a border two rods wide in the grain field and into the cornfield 

 as far as the bugs are severe. Do not harvest small grains for one week after treat- 

 ment. Do not feed the straw to livestock. 



Corn earworm populations are very high in early sweet corn in the south third 

 of Illinois. Apparently there must have been a heavy migration of moths into the state 

 and also favorable overwintering of native worms. This early infestation indicates 

 that the next generation in sweet corn in August may be quite large. Sweet corn grow- 

 ers who have corn to be harvested in August and September should be alert to this pos- 

 sibility. 



Sod webworms in small numbers may soon appear in lawns. In most instances 

 use of insecticides is not warranted at this time, but in particular cases some people 

 may want the ultimate in lawn protection. In these cases apply carbaryl (Sevin) or 

 diazinon now and again in mid-August. 



Alfalfa weevils are now in 29 Illinois counties. All larvae have pupated, 

 and the new adults of this year T s generation have emerged, but they are very difficult 

 to find. There was no damage to alfalfa this year. 



Japanese beetles have begun to emerge at Sheldon, and peak activity will oc- 

 cur this month. 



Scavenger beetles are black, hard-shelled, shiny beetles with four orange to 

 white spots on their wings. These pests, commonly called picnics-beetles, are usually 

 most noticeable around food being served at picnics and similar activities. Also they 

 are appearing around garbage containers and are often thick orilkcreen doors and kitchen 

 windows. They are also attracted to overripe or injured vegetables jand> 'fruits in home 

 gardens. Keep vegetables and fruits picked, and dispose of (overripe or damaged pro- 

 duce. Use of malathion or diazinon will give a degree of control on fruits and vege- 

 tables. Check the label for application directions for each crop. 



