OCR Text |
Show Makes a Study Of Alfalfa Field Bug Infestation Alfalfa weevils have now appeared ap-peared in moderately threatening threaten-ing numbers in many alfalfa fields in the Delia area, U. S. Dept. of Ag. entomologist, F. V. Lieberman found after making a careful check of 46 alfalfa fields to determine weevil and lygus bug numbers. In three of the 46 fields, populations populat-ions of weevils already were beginning be-ginning to cause economic injury. The more seriously infested fields need early treatment. With the unusually short growth of alfalfa which now exists, due to frosts, and the possibility of I alfalfa weevil injury in many com munities, alfalfa growers are urged ur-ged to watch their fields closely, so that control may be applied promptly where ever it is required advised Utah State Agricultural Col lege extension entomologists, Dr. G. F. Knowlton. With the reduced plant growth, as it commonly exists, ex-ists, alfalfa weevil injury may develop more rapidly than in alfalfa alf-alfa of normal growth and damage dam-age may become severe more quickly than would be the case with taller plant growth and similar sim-ilar weevil populations. Alfalfa growers throughout Utah Ut-ah should see that dusting equipment equip-ment is in good operating order and be prepared to meet a rather general outbreak by the end of May, wherever threatening weevil populations develop. Chemical control on alfalfa for forage hay consists of, applying four pounds of 50 strength cal-'cium cal-'cium arsenate as a dust or two pounds of actual methoxychlol: as a dust or spray, to each acre, before be-fore weevil injury becomes severe. Some users may desire to try met hoxychlor dust or syray, applied at the rate of one to two pounds of the actual chemical per acre. This will be more costly than the calcium arsenate treatment. Where alfalfa is to be left for first crop seed, the entomologists suggest applying 20 pounds of 10 per cent DDT dust per acre, or 1.5 pounds of actual DDT per acre as a spray, where the hay is approach ing the bud stage. Where alfalfa is short, but will be definitely left for first crop seed, some farmers may desire to treat with chlordane then apply the above DDT treatment treat-ment for lygus bug control and for any remaining weevils, when alfalfa alf-alfa begins -to come into the bud stage. |