Vegetable Insects
| Aphids (NHE-47), Mites (N. HE-58), Thrips | Most garden crops | malathion, insecticidal soap | Apply on foliage to control the insects. Aphids and leafhoppers transmit plant disease; early control is
important. mites web on the underside of leaves, apply insecticide to udnerside of leaves early before extensive
webbing occurs. |
| Blister beetles (NHE-72), Cutworms (NHE-77), Flea beetles (NHE-36), Grasshoppers (NHE-74), Leafhoppers
(NHE-22), Pinic beetles (NHE-40) | Most garden crops | carbaryl, rotenone | For cutowrms, attach collars of paper, aluminum foil or metal at planting for small numbers of plants, or apply
insecticide to base of platns at first sign of cutting. Control grasshoppers in garden borders when hoppers are small.
For picnic beetles, pick and destroy overripe or damaged vegetables. |
| All cabbage worms (NHE-45) | Cabbage and related crops, salad crops, and leafy vegetables | Bacillus theringiensis | Presence of white butterflies signals start of infestation. Control worms when small. It is almost impossible
to raise cole crops in Illinois without controlling these pests. |
| Hornworms (NHE-130), Fruitworms | Tomatoes | carbaryl, Bacillus thuringiensis | Handpicking usually provides satisfactory contorl of hornworms. |
| Earworms (NHE-33) | Tomatoes and sweet corn | carbaryl | Apply to late-maturing tomatoes 3 to 4 times at 5- t 10-day intervals from small-fruit stage. Apply at
fresh-silk stage to early and late corn every 2 days 4 to 5 times. |
| Colorado potato beetles | Eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes | carbaryl, rotenone, Bacillus thuringiensis `san diego' | Apply as needed. Insects usually present only in late May and June. Handpick larvae and adults off of
plants. |
| Potato leafhoppers (NHE-22) | Potatoes, beans | carbaryl, malathion | Apply 3 to 4 times at weekly intervals starting in late May or early June. Late potatoes and beans require
additioinal treatments. Most serious pest of potatoes and beans in Illinois. |
| Bean leaf beetles (NHE-67) | Beans | carbaryl, rotenone | Leaves are riddles in early plantings. Apply once or twice as needed. |
| Mexican bean beetles | Beans | carbaryl, rotenone | Except for southern Illiinois, only a pest of late beans. Apply insecticide to underside of leaves. |
| Cucumber beetles (NHE-46) | Vine crops | carbaryl, rotenone | Apply as soon as beetles appear in spring. When blossoming begins, apply insecticide late in the day so as not
to interfere with pollination by bees. Cover plants with polyester row covers until blooming starts to protect plants
without insecticides in the spring. |
| Squash vine borers (NHE-8) | Squash | carbaryl | Make weekly applications to crowns and runners when plants begin to vine. Apply late in day. Cover plants with
polyester row covers until blooming starts to protect plants without insecticides in the spring. |
| Corn borers | Sweet corn | carbaryl | Apply 4 times every 3 days to whorl and ear zone of early corn when feeding appears on whorl leaves. |
| Soil insects (including grubs, wireworms, root maggots) | All crops | diazinon | Mix 6 fluid oz. of 25% diazinon emulsion in enough water to cover 1,000 sq. ft., usually 2 to 3 gallons. Rake
into soil. Cover the soil with screening along rows of root maggot-susceptible plants in the spring. |
Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions.
Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and
associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any
contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of
the information in this document.
