Pea aphids are appearing in occasional southern Illinois alfalfa fields, but are not plen- 

 tiful enough to be serious at present. The current warm and calm weather, with the mois- 

 ture now present, will promote the spread of a fungus disease of aphids, which would kill 

 them. Diseased aphids are brown and flattened, and often have a white mold about them. 



Insecticides are recommended for alfalfa weevil control, also for the control of pea aphid: 



CORN INSECTS 



Flea beetles are now common in fence rows and wheat fields. They will soon migrate to 

 corn. These black beetles strip narrow lines on the leaves, leaving the white tissue. Th( 

 beetles are tiny and jump at the slightest disturbance. Approach the plants slowly or the 

 beetles will have disappeared before you get to the plant. 



This beetle transmits Stewarts disease of corn. We know so little about the time of inocu 

 lation that we cannot recommend beetle control to prevent disease infection this early. I: 

 the beetles are killing or severely damaging plants, sprays of toxaphene or carbaryl will 

 prove helpful. 



Black cutworm moths were found this week for the first time this year. 



HOMEOWNER INSECTS 



Elm leaf beetles that have wintered in the wall voids and partitions are now trying to get 

 outside. These yellow and brown- striped beetles are a nuisance when they migrate into the 

 home rather than outside. Usually, they congregate between the storm sash or screen and 

 the window. Leave the outer window partly open and they will go outdoors. Inside the 

 home, use a vacuum sweeper to pick them up. 



Bagworms are still in the egg stage in any bagworm sacks from last year that are still 

 hanging. For the next three to four weeks, hand pick and burn these bags. This will re- 

 duce the number of bagworms that will hatch in late May and early June. Although hand- 

 picking may not eliminate the need for sprays, it will at least reduce the number of worms 

 that will be present later on. This will help substantially in controlling them. 



Spring cankerworms (often called inch-worms) are dark-brown-to-green measuring worms that 

 feed on the buds and newly emerging leaves of trees like elm and apple. Full grown, the 

 worms drop to the ground on silk threads. Hundreds of them can be seen hanging from a 

 tree. When this happens, it is too late to spray. If the infestation is found when the 

 worms are small, sprays of carbaryl (Sevin) or lead arsenate will provide control. A 

 bacterial spray is also available, which is reported to be effective. 



Millipedes are moving into homes from shrubbery beds, lawns, storm sewers, and from mounds 

 of dirt and refuse made by excavations in new subdivisions, where the soil is filled with 

 decaying vegetation. 



In cases of heavy migration, spray lawns and shrubbery beds with carbaryl or diazinon. Th: 

 provides a barrier zone in which the millipedes are killed, preventing them from getting 

 into the home. 



For minor problems, limited spraying of a 3- to 4-foot-wide area around the house founda- 

 tion should be adequate. Apply approximately 2 pounds of actual carbaryl or 1 pound of 

 actual diazinon in 25 gallons of water for each 10,000 square feet of area treated. 



