/K- 



7 



COLLEGE OF 

 AGRICULTURE 

 UNIVERSITY OF 

 ILLINOIS AT 

 URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 

 AND NATURAL 

 HISTORY SURVEY 

 URBANA, ILLINOIS 



NSECT, WEED & PLANT DISEASE SURVEY BULLETIN 



ATE/COUNTY/LOCAL GROUPS/US. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COOPERATING 



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 



No. 1, April 7, 1972 



This series of weekly bulletins provides a general look at the insect, weed, and plant 

 disease situation (fruit and commercial vegetables excepted) , along with suggested, 

 abbreviated control measures. Each individual should check his own fields to deter- 

 mine local conditions. 



GENERAL INFORMATION 



Farmers : Each year we urge people not to fill sprayers near wells. Keep the hose from 

 the well out of the spray tank- -back-siphoning can occur. Keep concentrates away from 

 wells. Do not drain sprayers near the well. 



Always wear gloves when handling pesticides. Never pour by holding a container above 

 your head. Always pour granules into hoppers so that the wind will blow any dust away 

 from you. Handle insecticides with care and respect. 



Follow these and other precautions to prevent problems. 



Homeowners : Store pesticides out of the reach of small children. Read and heed the 

 instructions and precautions on the label. 



INSECTS 



FORAGE INSECTS 



Alfalfa weevil development is slow and corresponds to slow crop growth. Earlier it 

 appeared that these worms would be abundant and that damage to alfalfa would start 

 early, but the cool weather has slowed development. If weather conditions permit al- 

 falfa growth to continue but stop weevil development, damage may be less than last 

 year since the crop would be in effect, out ahead of the weevil. 



The situation this week closely parallels that of a year ago. 



South of highway 13, adults are present and have been laying eggs. Tiny larvae are 

 easily found. Their presence will be noticeable within the next 10 days if air tem- 

 peratures are moderate. In severely infested fields, we expect chemical control to 

 be needed in 7 to 10 days. At present, some fields show over 50 percent tip- feeding, 

 but most fields show less than this. The current average for all fields is about 35 

 percent tip- feeding. 



Between highways 13 and 50, small larvae can be found in alfalfa fields on the west 

 side of the state. No insecticide applications should be needed in this area for 10 

 days to two weeks, even with moderately seasonal weather. 



The insecticide recommendations for this pest are the same as last year. Do not apply 

 insecticides until at least 25 percent or more of the tips show feeding. Imidan, 



