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INSECT 



SURVEY 



BULLETIN 





.i 



State 





FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 







College of Agriculture 



University of Illinois 



and Natural History Survey, Urbana, Illinois 



U. S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating 



APR - 9 ^368 



March 15, 1968 



INSECT SURVEY BULLETIN NO. 



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i 



This series of weekly bulletins provides a general look at the insect situation 

 (fruit insects excepted) along with suggested, abbreviated control measures. Each 

 individual should check his own fields to determine local conditions. Before ap- 

 plying insecticides 3 read the labels carefully and follow all precautions. This 

 will not only insure personal safety, but will also prevent residue hazards. 



Cattle lice have increased steadily in numbers since late last fall and have now 

 reached a peak population. Infested cattle rub, lick, and bite themselves ex- 

 cessively; as a result, hair loss and even raw or bloody patches on the skin are 

 common symptoms of louse infestations. Scaly skin, weather, temperature, and diet 

 can also cause similar symptoms. Make a spot check for lice on a few of the ani- 

 mals with the roughest appearance; look first along the brisket and neck, then 

 check the withers and tail crown for the small dark blue or black sucking- lice or 

 reddish-brown chewing lice. Tiny, oval, yellow or black eggs (nits) stuck to hairs 

 are also a sign of lice. 



Control cattle lice with sprays. Although using dusts and backrubbers will usually 

 control light infestations, they will not control moderate to severe infestations. 



Use Ciodrin for dairy cattle. Mix 1-1/2 pints of liquid concentrate containing 

 4 pounds of active ingredient per gallon, 2 pints containing 3.2 pounds, or 3 pints 

 containing 2 pounds per gallon with 100 gallons of water. Rotenone is also effec- 

 tive. 



For beef cattle, use lindane--l-l/2 pints of 20-percent lindane liquid concentrate 

 per 100 gallons of water; or malathion, 3 quarts of the 50- to 57 -percent mala- 

 thion liquid concentrate per 100 gallons of water. When using lindane, allow 30 

 days to elapse between treatment and slaughter. Lindane and malathion are pre- 

 ferred for louse control on beef cattle because both materials will also control 

 mange mites as well as lice. 



Follow these suggestions when spraying cattle for lice: 



1. Add 1 to 2 pounds of a washday detergent to each 100 gallons of finished spray 

 to aid in wetting and in penetrating the thick coat. 



2. Apply 1-1/2 to 2 gallons of finished spray per animal, if they weigh 800 pounds 

 or more. 



3. Thorough coverage of each animal from head to tail is essential for good con- 

 trol. Spraying must be thorough; if not, repeat the treatment in 2 weeks. 



