Leaf spots in alfalfa fields are abundant on the lower leaflets. Most of these 

 are probably pseudoplea spots. Some leaflet drop can be expected from leaf spot 

 infections. Fungicide control is not feasible. 



Wheat 



Septoria leaf spot on wheat is still largely confined to the lower leaves. There 

 has not been much movement of the disease upward on the plants. Lower leaves are 

 heavily infected in most fields and the disease could become serious if prolonged 

 periods of cool, wet conditions occur. 



HOMEOWNER PEST PROBLEMS 



Trees and Shrubs 



Spring cankerworms are brown to dark- green to black measuring worms that eat the 

 leaves of elm, apple, and other trees. They may completely defoliate elms. These 

 worms first appear just as the leaves begin to emerge from the buds. They continue 

 to feed for a few weeks; when full grown, they drop to the ground on a silken thread. 

 At times, hundreds of them can be seen swinging on strands of web. 



For control, use either (1) carbaryl (Sevin) with 2 pounds of 50-percent wettable 

 powder in 100 gallons of water or (2) 4 pounds of lead arsenate per 100 gallons 

 of water. It is necessary to spray the entire tree. A power sprayer will be needed 

 to do this. 



Eastern tent caterpillars are now common in trees, along roadsides, and in wooded 

 areas in the southern part of Illinois. The worms live in the tent in the crotch 

 of a tree and migrate out to the branches to eat the leaves. Strands of webbing 

 or trails extend from the tent to the leaves. The easiest method of control is 

 to cut out the tent and burn the branch and the tent. If this would disfigure the 

 tree, you can spray with carbaryl or lead arsenate, as for cankerworms. But this 

 must be done early, since it is difficult to penetrate masses of webbing with a 

 spray. 



Plant Lawns 



Helminthosporium leaf spot is showing up in Kentucky bluegrass lawns. This disease 

 can be very destructive during wet, cool weather- -especially on lawns that are 

 mowed less than 2 inches high. The leaf spots are dark brown; some have light tan 

 centers. Leaves with several spots are killed. When many leaves are killed, brown 

 areas appear in the lawn. Leaf spot damage can be reduced by applying lawn fungi- 

 cides containing Phaltan, Dyrene, Maneb, or Acti-dione. Applications must be re- 

 peated during wet, cool weather. 



PRECAUTIONS IN USING PESTICIDES 



Corn planting has started or will start within the next few weeks. Many farmers 

 will be using special insecticides designed to control aldrin/heptachlor-resistant 

 corn rootworms. These insecticides are for use primarily on the soil surface ahead 

 of the press wheel, not in with the seed. A few of them injure germination. Be 

 sure to follow the label instructions on placement concerning these newer insecti- 

 cides. 



