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European corn borer populations appear to be quite low, with the exception of a few, 

 very advanced fields . Although the hard rains this week killed many of the moths, 

 continue to examine suspect fields during the next few weeks. In west -southwestern 

 Illinois, egg hatch is about complete; in western Illinois, it will be within a week; 

 and in the west-central section, in about two weeks. Moths are still emerging in 

 northern Illinois, and egg-laying will continue for about three weeks. The situation 

 is still uncertain. For control procedures, review last week's Bulletin. 



Corn leaf aphids are just now appearing. There are only a few of them, and no com- 

 ment can be made about their future. It is comforting to observe that lady beetles, 

 which feed on aphids, are more abundant than usual in corn fields this year. 



Common stalk borers can be found in corn along fence rows and ditch banks. These 

 striped worms have a brown to purple area in the middle part of the body. The worm 

 feeds on the whorl of the plant. The leaves that emerge are very ragged when they 

 unroll. The moths deposited eggs in grassy or weedy areas last August. The worms, 

 which hatched this spring, fed in the hollow-stemmed grasses and weeds. They move 

 into corn as they grow or when the weeds are mowed. Chemical control is not recom- 

 mended. These pests can be found in many cultivated crops, such as tomatoes and 

 oats. 



Ground beetles are black, green, or brown beetles of various sizes that are found in 

 the soil in corn fields. They run rapidly when disturbed. These beetles feed on 

 other insects. Do not try to control them, for they are beneficial insects. 



FORAGE CROP INSECTS 



Grasshoppers are now hatching in some areas of the state. Hard, beating rains during 

 the hatching period could kill the young grasshoppers. Unfortunately, all areas are 

 not likely to receive these rains, so we expect some outbreaks to occur. These grass- 

 hoppers are hatching in fence rows , ditch banks , roadsides , grass waterways , and sod 

 fields. Some are also hatching in clover fields. Control grasshoppers while they are 

 small and before they have a chance to move to more valuable crops such as corn and 

 soybeans . 



If lots of young hoppers are present, spray non-crop areas such as ditch banks and 

 fence rows with toxaphene. Do not use toxaphene sprays on grasses that will be used 

 as forage for livestock. And do not apply toxaphene near fish-bearing waters. 



Spray hayfields with either carbaryl (Sevin) or malathion. To avoid bee kill do not 

 use carbaryl on fields that are in bloom; apply malathion late in the day, instead. 

 No waiting period is required between application and harvest. 



STORED GRAIN 



Indian meal moths are abundant this year, and may present a greater- than-normal prob- 

 lem^ On many farms , this insect has developed resistance to the commonly used pro- 

 tectant insecticide, malathion. At present in the Midwest, no substitute protectant 

 is readily available. 



Malathion is still effective against the remainder of the insect complex (about twelve 

 important ones) that attacks stored wheat. Satisfactory protection on most farms 

 should still be realized through a continued use of malathion in a complete control 

 program that involves (1) bin cleanup, (2) bin spraying, (3) spraying the grain as 



