-4- 



Aphids are still prevalent on many shrubs and in some trees. They are soft-bodied, 

 sucking insects that are easily controlled with malathion (50- to 57-percent liquid 

 concentrate) or with diazinon (25-percent liquid concentrate, using 2 teaspoons of 

 either chemical per gallon of water) . 



Picnic beetles continue to be uninvited guests at cookouts, picnics, and in and 

 around the home. The black beetles with four yellow spots are attracted to the 

 odor of food, especially overripe and decaying produce. Also, they are present 

 around garbage cans. 



For control in home yards, harvest fruits and vegetables before they become over- 

 ripe. Dispose of any spoiled produce. To kill the adult beetles, spray with 

 malathion, diazinon, or carbaryl (Sevin) on and around garbage cans. Spraying 

 shrubbery and tall grass with the same insecticides before a cookout will greatly 

 reduce the number of these beetles. Follow directions on the label; check plants 

 that may be injured if sprayed with the insecticide you are using. Either 0.1- 

 percent pyrethrin or 0.5-percent dichlorvos (DDVP) in pressurized spray cans will 

 give a quick knockdown of beetles that suddenly move into an area. 



PLANT DISEASES 



The plant-disease situation in field crops has remained about the same as given 

 in the last two issues. 



WEEDS 



A lot of soybean fields look quite clean this year. The delayed planting, use of 

 herbicides, rotary hoeing, and good cultivation have all contributed. 



Now is a good time to chop that volunteer corn out of soybeans. Relatively few 

 fields have a serious problem. 



As the beans stop growing, some of the taller-growing weeds (like velvetleaf) will 

 become more evident. Fulling these to prevent seed production will be well worth- 

 while in many fields. Pulling may not sound very "glamorous," but is still 

 practical and economical in many fields. (And it will give kids something to tell 

 their grandchildren.) 



Corn has made tremendous growth in the last few weeks. There are still some appli- 

 cations of 2,4-D with "high boy" sprayers. Even though this is a low-cost practice, 

 there is no need to spray unless you really do have susceptible, broadleaved weeds 

 present. In spite of the problems we've had with 2,4-D this year, we still say 

 that weed control is usually better and competition less if weeds are sprayed when 

 they are small, rather than waiting until it is too late. 



The common recommendation is not to spray when corn is silking and pollinating. 

 We usually don't have much of a problem in this regard- -perhaps because most folks 

 do avoid spraying then. 



With the small grain harvested, weeds such as foxtail and ragweed now have a chance 

 for more-vigorous growth. If you don't plan to work the fields for a while, con- 

 sider clipping or spraying to reduce the weed seed production. If you don't have 

 a grass or legume seeding, consider spraying. A low-cost application of 2,4-D can 

 check most broadleaved weeds. A few pounds of Dowpon per acre- -alone or added to 



