3. Using ground equipment . Apply a minimum of 20 gallons of finished spray per 

 acre, or 4 gallons by air. 



SPECIAL NOTE: Some spray burn was noticed this week from methyl parathion and 

 malathion. The burn is associated with rapid growth, and occurs mostly in the 

 more- luxuriant stands. This may be due to the elimination of the weevil larvae 

 by the insecticide and the resulting spurt of growth or may be caused by other 

 factors, such as cold weather after the treatment. Other phosphate insecticides 

 may also cause spray burn. Generally speaking, the burn is not serious; but 

 occasionally, yields are adversely affected. The burn appears two to three days 

 after spraying as white spots on the leaves. Some cold injury that resembles 

 spray burn was also observed. 



Meadow spittlebugs are just beginning to hatch in the northern half of Illinois. 

 The hatch is well underway in the southern half of the state, where occasional 

 froth masses are apparent. The heaviest overwintering concentration of spittle- 

 bug eggs is in the northern tier of counties and in the McLean County area of 

 central Illinois. These tiny, yellow- to- orange nymphs are down low behind the 

 leaf sheaths. Soon, they will move higher up on the plants and form froth masses. 

 Control with insecticides has not usually been profitable for several years. How- 

 ever, if there is more than one spittlebug nymph per stem (not per plant), treat- 

 ment is justified. Use 1/2 pound of methoxychlor per acre, and wait seven days 

 before harvesting or pasturing. 



CORN INSECTS 



Slender seed-corn beetles and striped seed-corn beetles are now present in fields 

 of corn stubble. These beetles eat holes in the germinating corn seed and cut 

 small sprouts. The severity of the problem will depend on weather conditions dur- 

 ing the planting period. Cool weather and slow germination will enhance the like- 

 lihood of damage. Warm weather with adequate moisture, which will produce faster 

 germination, will lower the chances for injury. 



Diazinon as a dust applied to the seed corn will protect against the slender and 

 striped seed-corn beetles. Also, the phosphate insecticides [diazinon, Dasanit, 

 Dyfonate, and phorate (Thimet) ] applied as granules in a 7- inch band just ahead 

 of the press wheel will provide control. 



Flea beetles can cause rapid and serious injury to small, newly emerging corn plants. 

 These tiny, shiny black beetles jump readily when disturbed. They eat the green 

 from the plant leaf, leaving white scratch marks. Damaged plants will turn white, 

 and are sometimes killed. Carbaryl (Sevin) at 3/4 pound or toxaphene at 1-1/2 

 pounds of actual chemical per acre as a band spray over the row gives effective 

 control. 



Carbaryl is preferred for use on dairy farms. To prevent additional flea beetles 

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

 carbaryl near beehives or toxaphene near fish-bearing waters. 



CORN INSECTS 



A few scattered reports have been received of wireworms damaging corn. These worms 

 will attack both the germinating seed and underground portion of the stem. If 



