—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 24, 1976 22 Evil weevils management COLLEGE PARK - Ex tension survey entomologists at land-grant colleges have several things in common with weather forecasters. Among them is the chance to have their predictions go awry. A case in point is the recent explosion of weevil populations in alfalfa fields throughout Maryland. And the prospect appears im minent for the worst in festation of this voracious leaf-chewer since the early 19605. Ironically, less than six weeks ago, informed ob servers were predicting lower insect populations than normal in 1976 because of a stretch of sub-freezing temperatures this past r winter. • But the recent spell of -warm weather has triggered an early hatch - some eight to 10 days earlier than in the two previous years. And it may well have improved the percentage of eggs hatching out. In addition, the weevil larvae do their most evil work when daytime tem peratures reach 80 degrees - F. and nights are somewhat cooler. Alfalfa fields with a southeast exposure seemed to be the most heavily in fested with feeding larvae during a pre-Easter check conducted in Frederick County. All 14 alfalfa fields in the spot survey showed varying degrees of weevil in festation, University of Maryland agronomist reported. With most fanners busy planting com, well ahead of schedule. Dr. Wallace Harding, entomologist, advised those who grow alfalfa to take time to check their hayfields every few days for signs of heavy w£vS populations. When 50 percent or the plant tips show damage before a field has approached the full-bud stage, the field should be sprayed immediately. Early cutting soon after the full-bud stage can often eliminate the need for spraying, under normal conditions. But farmers should not count on the stop gap measure this year, Dr. Neri Clark, agronomist, warned. (Average cutting date for first-crop alfalfa in the Piedmont area of north central Maryland is May 10). The Extension agronomist observed that the alfalfa fWhat's Mew l j ‘Economizer* RegO offers an automatic gas shutoff that permits welders to save up to 30 per cent on gases, as well as operator time and labor. The RegO “Economizer” is ideal for situations in which welding operations are intermittent. Hang the torch on the hook and the gases are shut off com pletely. Remove the torch, pass the tip over the pilot light, and the torch is in stantly ready to use again. Available with or without a weevil damage problem is being accentuated in some areas by moisture shortages on light, sandy soils. This places the young plants in a stress situation which makes them especially vulnerable to insect pests. Warm weather is also Cadet CcNipof^ I 2fetUlf Teams up. Cutusput Ripusoff. Weloveit. save up to 400 This coupon with your purchase of this powerful ■ Cub Cadef ■ Lawn and Garden Tractor! entitles you to your choice of § FREE MOWER or FREE TRAILER and LAWN SWEEPER Ottar good through May 31,1875. IMTdUUTMWU. NAimSTER IH /vner zjmar BIGGS INCORPORATED 34 Buckley Ave. Rising Sun, MD 301-658-5531 PERRONE EQUIPMENT CORP. 101 Rosehill Ave. West Grove, PA 215-869-2474 LAMB’S FARM MACHINERY Thorndale, PA 215-269-2676 MARTIN HARDWARE ERB & HENRY EQUIP. INC. & EQUIPMENT CO. Schaefferstown, PA 717-949-6817 infesting Md. alfalfa fields, lips given by Extension staf accelerating the hatch of spitUebugs, and masses of this sucking pest have already been observed on both alfalfa and red clover fields in western Maryland,, according to Insect Notes, a weekly -mimeographed newsletter published by ih I am the next best thing to your next door neighbor. Extension entomologists at College Park. So, far, however, the spittlebug populations have not generally reached sufficient proportion to cause economic losses. Detailed information for control of both alfalfa I I I I I I | This coupon with your purchase of popular ■ Cadet® Lawn Tractor ■ entitles you to>your choice of ■ FREE 42” FRONT BLADE ! F ■ ■ COPE & WEAVER New Providence. PA 717-786-7351 STRALEY FARM SUPPLY INC. 1760 East Canal Road Dover, PA 717-292-4443 SCHOENECK INTERNATIONAL Oakwood Lane at Rt. 873 Near Neffs (Schnecksville, PA) 215-767-3806 or 437-4813 22-26 Henry'Ave., New Berlinville, PA 1 Mile North of Boyertown 215-367-2169 weevil and spittlebug is contained in two current publications of the Cooperative Extension Service. At least one should be'-available free of charge at county Extension offices throughout the state. The first is a four-page Save up to 150 leaflet titled “Coi Insects on Alfalfa ai Clover” (Fact She The other is a manual covering th spectrum of Maryla: crops. It is titled 1! Control Recommei for Field Crops. R. S. HOLLINGER & 113 West Main St Mountville, Pi 717-285-4538 HERITAGE INTERNATIONAL INC. 1054 S. State St Ephrata, PA 717-733-2283 C. B. HOOBER & SOI Intercourse, PA 717-768-8231 MESSICK FARM EQUIPMENT INC. 2750 N. Market St Elizabethtown, PA 717-367-1319
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