-3- 



June beetles , the adult stage of white grubs are the large, brown, hard-shelled 

 beetles (nearly an inch long) that fly toward lights at night and bump against win- 

 dows and screens. They are emerging in large numbers from sod fields and others 

 that were in soybeans in 1967. These beetles have a three -year life cycle. The 

 adults will now lay eggs, and small white grubs will hatch and feed on plant roots. 

 Little damage is expected in soybeans or corn this year, since the grubs will still 

 be small. Next spring (in their second year), the grubs will be half to two-thirds 

 grown, and will feed heavily throughout the season. Some fields in which corn and 

 soybeans are rotated and where corn follows sod are likely to be damaged next year. 



SMALL GRAIN 



True armyworms can be found in thick, rank stands of wheat, barley, rye, and various 

 grasses in the southern half of the state. Some fields may be heavily infested. 

 Counts averaging as high as 6 per linear foot of row were observed in fields this 

 week. Look in the thick or lodged spots first when checking for armyworms. They 

 will be hidden in the dead leaves and other trash at the base of the plants. If 

 you find lots of worms, make a count In several places in the field and figure the 

 average number of worms per foot of drill row. If you find no worms or an occasional 

 one in the thick or lodged spots, there is no need to look further. 



Continue to check for armyworms during the next week or two, since there could be 

 additional egghatch. 



Do not confuse the striped armyworms with the transparent yellow-to-green sawf lies . 

 An armyworm has five pairs of abdominal prolegs; sawf lies, six or more pairs. 

 Sawf lies were found in many wheat fields this week. They do not damage wheat plants 

 enough to require control. 



Treatment is justified if there are six or more armyworms per foot of drill row, as 

 an average over the field. Applications of 1 to 1-1/4 pounds of malathion, 1 pound 

 of trichlorfon (Dylox) , 1-1/2 pounds of carbaryl (Sevin) , or toxaphene will control 

 armyworms. Do not apply carbaryl on small grains after the boot stage. Do not feed 

 forage or straw treated with toxaphene or trichlorfon to dairy cattle, livestock 

 being fattened for slaughter, or poultry. There is no waiting period between the 

 application of toxaphene and grain harvest; a week is required when applying malathion, 

 21 days for trichlorfon. 



HOMEOWNER 



Chiggers will be a problem soon. They annoy campers, hikers, picnickers, fishermen, 

 berry pickers, and even homeowners in their own yard on occasion. These tiny mites 

 cling to grasses and weeds, transfering to persons who happen to brush against them. 

 When entering areas that may be infested, use a repellent such as DEET (diethyltolua- 

 mide) . Apply the repellent on socks, pants, pant cuffs, as well as on exposed ankles 

 and calves. Take a warm, soapy shower or bath as soon as possible after returning 

 from a chigger- infested area. It takes the mites several hours to penetrate the 

 skin; they can often be washed off before becoming imbedded. 



To reduce the number of chiggers in a home yard, spray malathion or diazinon lightly 

 over the grass, low flowers, and shrubs. Do not apply diazinon to ferns or hibiscus, 

 or malathion to cannaert red cedar. 



