Spittlebug froth masses are numerous in many new seedlings of clover and alfalfa 

 in the eastern and northern sections of Illinois. If there is an average of one 

 or more nymphs per stem, control is profitable. Since it is best to control 

 spittlebugs when the nymphs are still small and just beginning to form these froth 

 masses, control with an insecticide is now late and should be used only if infest- 

 ations are severe. For control, apply 3/4 pound of methoxychlor per acre. Allow 

 one week to elapse between treatment and harvest when using methoxychlor. 



CORN 



Corn flea beetles are causing damage in an occasional field. These small, black, 

 shiny beetles that jump when disturbed cause plants to turn white or silvery; some 

 plants are killed. Corn can usually outgrow flea-beetle damage once it reaches a 

 height of 10 to 12 inches. If damage is severe and plants are being killed, apply 

 3/4 pound of carbaryl (Sevin) --preferred on dairy farms--or 1-1/2 pounds of toxa- 

 phene per acre as a band spray over the row. To prevent additional flea beetles 

 from moving into the corn, treat the grassy areas bordering the field. Do not use 

 carbaryl near bee hives or toxaphene near fish-bearing waters. 



Black cutworms are present in corn fields , but no serious damage has been reported 

 as yet. Watch the spots in corn fields that are low or wet, or poorly drained, for 

 damage. Cut or missing plants are a sign that cutworms are at work. If damage 

 appears, use a spray- -directed at the base of the plants --of carbaryl (Sevin) at 

 2 or 3 pounds, diazinon at 2 pounds, toxaphene at 3 pounds, or trichlorfon (Dylox) 

 at 1 pound of actual chemical per acre. It is best to use at least 20 gallons of 

 water per acre, and to cover the spray band by throwing soil at the base of the 

 plants with a cultivator. 



European corn-borer pupation is nearly complete in the southern section, and moth 

 emergence is underway (17-percent emergence at Ridgway) . In the central section 

 of the state, approximately 60 to 90 percent of the borers have pupated. This is 

 somewhat ahead of the normal cycle. Pupation is just starting in the northern 

 section. 



These reports on corn borer development were received from Jim Paullus at Rochelle, . 

 Bob Hayward at Mt. Sterling, Charles Orcutt at Marshall, Warren Bundy at Edwardsville 

 Earl Lutz at Ridgway, Paul Wilson at Pontiac, and Mike Sager at Eureka. Large, 

 overwintering borer populations exist in the southern, west-central, and northwest 

 sections of Illinois. 



In the southern section, first -generation corn borer problems should be light 

 since only a few corn fields are mature enough for good borer survival. Peak egg- 

 laying in this section is expected to occur during the first week of June. 



In the west and southwest parts of the central section and in the northwest section, 

 the few fields of corn that were planted early could be seriously damaged by first- 

 generation corn borers. However, if borers continue to develop ahead of schedule, 

 the threat of severe damage will diminish. In these areas, be prepared to examine 

 the fields that were early for borer feeding damage. Such fields should be examined 

 in mid- to late June. 



