-2- 



Within the next two weeks , begin to examine lodged spots in wheat fields for army- 

 worms. These are the places where they will be the most numerous. Shake the lodged 

 plants vigorously and examine the ground underneath them for these worms. If they 

 are extremely abundant, examine areas throughout the field. If the average count 

 for the entire field is 6 or more armyworms per linear foot of drill row, apply 

 1-1/2 pounds of toxaphene per acre. Do not feed the straw to dairy animals, live- 

 stock fattening for slaughter, or to poultry. There is no restriction on the use 

 of the grain. One and one-half pounds of malathion per acre may be used to within 

 7 days of harvest, or 3/4 pound of trichlorfon per acre to within 21 days of harvest. 



Do not panic when you find armyworms. Do not apply an insecticide until many of the 



worms are 3/4 of an inch long. They do their damage after they reach this size. Leaf 



damage is not serious, but once they begin to cut off the heads, the problem develops 

 rapidly. 



ALFALFA AND CLOVERS 



Spittlebugs can now be found in most areas of Illinois, but no populations of damag- 

 ing proportions are expected. 



Alfalfa weevil damage is decreasing south of Highway 16 , as the worms mature and pu- 

 pate. Cutting is preferred to a spray in this area now. A stubble spray may be 

 needed on a few fields . North of Highway 16 and up as far north as Route 136 , some 

 spraying continues. Each field must be judged individually, and early harvest may 

 be preferred. 



Leafhoppers are now appearing in some alfalfa fields. Migrations from the south 

 have just started. 



HOMEOWNER INSECTS 



Bagworms have not yet hatched, so there is still time to pick the bags from last 

 year off the trees. About one-half of these contain thousands of eggs each. Pick 

 them off and burn them. Spraying will not be necessary until later. 



Holly leaf miners are beginning to tunnel between the leaf tissues of many types of 

 holly. They leave a yellowish mine, and will continue to damage the leaves if not 

 controlled. Control is still possible, Use a spray of dimethoate (Cygon or De-Fend) . 

 Follow the directions on the label for mixing the spray. Thorough coverage is impor- 

 tant for effective results. Another spraying may be needed about the middle of June. 



WEED CONTROL 



TREFLAN 



A new program that has not thoroughly tested in Illinois calls for using a double 

 rate of Treflan for two consecutive years and planting only a crop for which Treflan 

 is registered the third year. The program provides control of johnsongrass rhizomes. 

 In Illinois, this probably means planting three years of soybeans. Better control 

 of the johnsongrass from rhizomes can be expected during the second year than in 

 first. The double rate increases the chance of soybean injury, so considerable pre- 

 caution would be needed in order to create the best possible conditions for soybean 

 growth . 



