-3- 



adult midge is an orange-colored gnat or fly about 1/12 of an inch long. The flies 

 deposit their eggs in the spikelet or seed husk of the plant, and the orange-colored 

 larvae or maggots live within the developing seeds. 



Late-planted sorghum is usually subject to more damage than plantings made earlier. 

 Because of the critical timing required, chemical control for midge may not be very 

 effective, particularly where late-planted sorghum shows uneven plant development, 

 with head emergence spread over a 3- to 6-week period. 



Missouri recommendations suggest treating where there is an average of one or more 

 adult midges per head. Two determinations should be made before deciding to apply an 

 insecticide. 



First, make sure midges are present. Look for tiny, orange-colored flies during the 

 early morning hours. It is very difficult to identify how many are present. They 

 may be seen flying around and crawling over the heads at first bloom. 



Second, it is important to time applications so that the first one is applied at ap- 

 proximately 50-percent head emergence; the second, 3 to 5 days later, or by the time 

 90 percent of heads have emerged from the boot. Two applications may be needed unless 

 the field is uniform in terms of head emergence. 



For control, use 1/2 pound of diazinon, ethyl parathion, or carbophenothion (Trithion) , 

 or 1-1/2 pounds of carbaryl (Sevin) per acre. 



Note : Do not use methyl parathion , because of possible injury to some 

 sorghum varieties. 



Precautions : Do not apply diazinon within 7 days of grain harvest. Do not 

 apply ethyl parathion within 12 days of grain harvest or for forage. Do 

 not apply carbophenothion more than once per season, and do not graze or 

 cut for forage within 21 days after application. There is a 21-day ivait- 

 ing period for carbaryl between application and removal of the grain, but 

 no time limitations for forage. 



SOYBEANS 



Spider mites . These continue to plague soybeans in many areas, particularly rows along 

 the margin of fields. If damage continues and the beans are too large to treat with 

 ground equipment, aerial applications may be necessary. fSee Bulletin No. 17 for 

 recommendations . ) 



HOMEOWNER INSECTS 



Nuisance insects . Quite a few reports have been received recently of ground beetles 

 and other accidental insect invaders finding their way into homes. Usually they 

 are attracted to porch and house lights and somehow manage to enter the house, making 

 a nuisance of themselves. Insecticides are of little help. Within a few minutes af- 

 ter applying a quick- knockdown space spray (such as 0.1-percent pyrethrin) , there are 

 more insects back at the light. Usually, individual insects inside the home can be 

 picked up with a vacuum cleaner. In some instances, a spray of chlordane or diazinon 

 applied on surfaces around the doorway entrances and other points of entry may help. 



You can also help lessen the problem by the type -of lighting you use. Avoid strong, 

 direct, white lighting. Indirect or more subdued lighting is preferable. Indoor 



