The insecticide recommendations are: 



1. Experienced commercial applicators who have the proper protective clothing will 

 get the best results with methyl parathion applied at 1/2 pound per acre, or a 

 special alfalfa weevil spray of azinphosmethyl (Guthion) at 1/2 pound per acre. 

 Azinphosmethyl can be applied only once per cutting . Do not harvest for 15 

 days after treatment with methyl parathion, 16 days for azinphosmethyl. 



2. The person not properly equipped with protective clothing to use methyl para - 

 thion or azinphosmethyl can use a mixture of 5/4 pound of malathion and 5/4 

 pound of methoxychlor per acre (3 pints of a concentrate containing 2 pounds 

 of methoxychlor and 2 pounds of malathion per gallon) , or a mixture containing 

 at least 1/2 pound of diazinon and 1 pound of methoxychlor per acre (2-1/2 to 

 5 quarts of the commercially prepared mixture Alfatox) . You may also use 

 1-1/4 pounds of malathion per acre (1 quart of the 5 -pounds -per -gallon con- 

 centrate) in the morning on days when the air temperatures will be above 60° F. 

 Do not harvest for 7 days after treatment with methoxychlor, diazinon, or mlx- 

 tures of them. There is no waiting period for malathion. 



The quantity of finished spray applied per acre is also important. Use no less 

 than 4 gallons per acre by air or 20 gallons per acre by ground machine. The ex- 

 ception is on stubble, where 10 gallons per acre by ground will be sufficient. 



Special note : Spray burn has occurred in some alfalfa fields with all of the 

 insecticides currently suggested for use. Burn has been more apparent this year 

 than last, possibly because the alfalfa in general has been taller when sprayed. 

 Little or no spray burn has been observed with stubble treatments. The burn ap- 

 pears first (2 to 3 days after spraying) as yellow spots on the leaves, followed 

 by a more general yellowing of affected leaves. Although noticeable, the spray 

 burn is usually not severe enough to affect yield. 



Meadow spittlebug froth masses are numerous, especially in many of the new clover 

 and alfalfa seedings in the state. The heaviest infestation is present in the 

 northern and western sections. Many small, newly hatched, orange nymphs (hidden 

 behind leaf sheaths in the crown of the plants) are also present, so that froth 

 masses will become even more apparent. 



To determine the need for treatment, count the number of spittlebugs (several may 

 be present in a single froth mass) on 50 to 100 stems. If there are 1 or more 

 nymphs per stem- -not per plant- -control is profitable. For maximum benefit, con- 

 trols should be applied while the nymphs are small and just beginning to form froth 

 masses. Methoxychlor applied at 3/4 pound of actual per acre will provide ex- 

 cellent control. Allow 1 week to elapse between treatment and harvest or 

 pasturing with methoxychlor. 



Lesser clover leaf weevil larvae can be found feeding behind leaf sheaths on red 

 clover in the southern half of the state; they will appear soon in northern sec- 

 tions. These small, gray to dirty-green worms eat out a groove or tunnel in the 

 stem behind leaf sheaths, in the axil of the stem, or in terminal buds. Infested 

 plants are often stunted; stems may wilt and die. Blooms may dry up and brown 

 prematurely. Counts this week showed from 5 to 50 percent of the stems infested 

 in most fields. No practical control measures are known. 



