-2- 



Most importantly, from now on watch for beetles in silks, ear tips, and plants. If 

 you find an average of 2 or 3 per plant, you may have a rootworm problem if you grow 

 corn in that field in 1971. So check your fields for beetles now to determine what 

 you may have next year. 



European corn borers are still with us. As usual, some of the later fields will be 

 hit hard. It is now difficult to select fields without making counts . 



If corn is in the whorl stage and if 75 percent or more of the plants are showing re- 

 cent whorl feeding, apply carbaryl (Sevin) or diazinon granules. If the corn has tas- 

 selled, look for egg masses. If the average is 1 or more egg masses per plant, apply 

 an insecticide after a few eggs have hatched. Aerial sprays on tasselled corn are ef- 

 fective, but on whorl-stage corn, aerial applications should be granules, not sprays. 

 Use 1-1/2 pounds of carbaryl (Sevin), or 1 pound of diazinon, or 1/2 pound of parathioi 

 per acre. Allow 10 days between application and silage removal for diazinon and 12 

 days for parathion. Parathion should be applied only be experienced applicators. No 

 waiting period is required for carbaryl. 



SOYBEANS 



Several insects are chewing on soybean leaves. If they defoliate the plants after 

 pods are well formed and almost filled, damage is slight. However, if they are 

 actually chewing on the pods, yield loss may be in proportion to pod damage. For 

 plants in the stage of development from blossom to early pod fill, loss of 40 percent 

 of the leaf surface can be important. If insects are defoliating plants during this 

 period of growth, control may be in order. Control is indicated when 25 percent or 

 more of the leaf surface has been eaten. 



Grasshoppers can be placed in this category. If possible, spray to control them as 

 they migrate into the field. Margin or border spraying is all that may be needed. 



Green cloverworms may be a problem. Spray if beans are between blossom and pod fill,; 

 if 25 percent of the leaf surface has been eaten and there are 6 or more worms per 

 linear foot of row. To count worms, jar plants over the middle of the row and count 

 the worms on the ground. Also watch for dead or dying worms. They become sick with 

 a fungus disease during periods of high temperatures and humidity. They will be 

 noticed as white, dusty, mummified worms. This indicates that the population is 

 decreasing. 



ALFALFA 



Webworms can ruin stands of fall -seed alfalfa. Webbing will be apparent and many 

 young plants will be killed as the worms consume the leaves. Sprays of methoxychlor, 

 malathion, carbaryl (Sevin) , or several others readily kill these worms if the spray 

 penetrates the webbing. As long as the alfalfa is not used for hay the year of 

 spraying, residues will not be a problem. 



HOMEOWNER PROBLEMS 



Crickets may soon invade homes . Although there appears to be plenty of cricket food 

 in the fields, some of them usually migrate. In so doing, they are attracted to 

 lights. A foundation spray of chlordane will help reduce the number that enter the 



