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SMALL GRAINS 



Armyworm moths are now flying. They will be depositing eggs on vigorously growing stands 

 of grasses and grains, and will concentrate their egg-laying in spots within fields 

 where the grain or grass is the most luxuriant. Examine such areas for the first indi- 

 cations of armyworms. No serious infestations are expected for some time. 



CORN 



Soil insecticide . Several have asked us to rate the corn rootworm insecticides. Before 

 making our 1970 recommendations last fall, we checked 1969 results for percent of worm 

 kill, root damage, pounds of pressure required to pull the plants from the soil, and 

 yields. Since we were not able to differentiate on the basis of performance, we listed 

 the materials alphabetically. If seed beetles are present, use a diazinon seed treater 

 when you plan to use basal treatments, or planting time treatments of BUXtenor furadan. 

 Seed treatment is not needed if you use dasanit, dyfonate, or phorate (Thimet) at 

 planting time. 



We further recommend the use of dasanit, diazinon, dyfonate, or phorate in fields where 

 there are no rootworms. Do not expect these insecticides to control black cutworms or 

 white grubs. They will give some control of wireworms and other soil- inhabiting insect 

 pests. 



Nothing we have today will provide the overall insect control that aldrin and heptachlor 

 did a decade ago; unfortunately, insect resistance now prevents these two materials from 

 providing that same degree of control today. 



Armyworms may defoliate corn planted the "no-till" way. Sometimes this damage can be 

 serious. The armyworm moths may be laying eggs in these fields now, and this egg- laying 

 may continue for a few weeks. The worms that hatch during the next two to six weeks 

 will be hungry. They will devour the young com plants in their search for food. 



Applications of 1 pound of malathion or trichlorfon (Dylox) or 1-1/2 pounds carbaryl 

 (Sevin) or toxaphene per acre will effectively control these pests. Toxaphene will 

 probably give the longest protection- -a week to ten days --against newly hatching worms. 



Remember, toxaphene is extremely toxic to fish, but it is probably the safest insec- 

 ticide for use around bees. Carbaryl is extremely toxic to bees, but it is not too 

 toxic to fish. 



HOMEOWNER 



You'll hear the singing of the periodical cicada or seventeen-year locust this spring 

 and summer, in the eastern part of the state and in the southern sixteen counties. 

 They may also be heard in Morgan, Tazewell, Logan, Knox, and Dewitt counties in the 

 central section, and in Kane and Lee counties in the northern section. This pest is 

 due to appear in May in southern counties --June in the central and northern counties. 

 Of the thirty different broods of cicadas in the United States, at least ten are pres- 

 ent in Illinois. This particular one, Brood X, was severe in 1955 when the adults 

 laid their eggs. These adults prefer oak, hickory, apple, peach, and pear trees as 

 well as grapevines for laying their eggs. Damage occurs when the female cicadas make 

 slits in branches and twigs and deposit eggs. The small twigs and branches turn brown, 

 die, and sometimes break off. The young nymphs that hatch crawl into the soil for 

 another seventeen years, and remain in the ground sucking the sap from tree roots. 



