286 Wisconsin State Horticultural Society. 



to the floor, where nearly all remained till morning, though the 

 application was made the night before. If not swept up some of 

 the flies would recover. The flies commence to fall in ten 

 minutes. 



Squash bugs (Coreus tristis) were kept in the clear powder, in a 

 close tin box, for three days, and were still alive. I also sprinkled 

 and dusted these insects on the vine, and could see no signs of 

 success in killing them. 



The Ciiincpi Bug — Blissus leucoj^terus. Of the many insect 

 pests that abound in this country, there are none so insignificant 

 in size, so generally well known in their habits and transforma- 

 tions, so much exposed to attack during the greater portion of 

 their existence, and yet are so much beyond control as the chinch 

 bug. This is mainly due to their immense numbers, the wide 

 extent of territory over which they extend, the rapidity with 

 which they multiply, and the fact that owing to their small size 

 they usually escape notice until their myriad hosts have full pos- 

 session of the fields and their work of destruction is well nigh 

 accomplished. It is also doubtful whether there is any other foe 

 that occasions so frequent, so extended and so great losses to the 

 countrv. 



In compiling the following history and description, much of the 

 information has been taken from the report of Prof. C. Thomas, 

 State Entomologist of Illinois, and member of the United States 

 Entomological Commission, to the Department of the Interior, 

 and from the authorities therein quoted. 



In giving the history of the chinch bug in this country, he 

 quotes as follows from the early reports of Dr. Fitch, State Ento- 

 mologist of New York : 



"It was just at the close of the Revolutionary War that the 

 chinch bug was first noticed as a depredator on wheat in gthe in- 

 terior of North Carolina. It was at first supposed to be identical 

 with the Hessian fly, which, at this time, was making great, havoc 

 in wheat crops on Long Island and New Jersey. Two years be- 

 fore this the British army, accompanied by a detachment of its 

 German auxiliaries, had marched through North Carolina, F and the 



