The Bulletin. 



31 



most concern to ^North Carolina farmers is the fact that a belt of badly 

 infested territory begins in central Virginia, extends entirely across the 

 piedmont area of ]^orth Carolina, and terminates in South Carolina. 

 (Webster's Map). 



This indication by Professor Webster is in accord with the ravages 

 reported in North Carolina. The only strictly eastern counties from 

 which we have had complaints are Pamlico and Gates ; but in the pied- 

 mont section complaints have been numerous from Warren to Stokes 

 counties on the north, southward to and including the counties of 

 Wake, Lee, and Anson in the east, and Rowan, Iredell, and Gaston on 

 the west, thus including the greater part of our "piedmont" area. The 

 writer has, however, collected specimens of the bug at Beaufort on the 

 coast; but it has not been reported as a pest there. 



(^W \^^::^'^' 



Fig. 10. — Showing various stages in growth of Chinch 

 Bug. a and b, eggs, c, e, f and g, stages in growth 

 of young bugs, d, h and j, legs, i, sucking beak 

 through which the insect sucks sap from the plant. 

 All enlarged, natural sizes indicated by lines, etc., 

 at side of figures. 



(After Riley, Div. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



Hal its and Life-history. — Adult bugs pass the winter in grasses, 

 under rubbish, etc. At Raleigh we have found them in winter under 

 boards at grassy edges of fields. When spring opens these bugs take 

 flight early and seek growing grasses or small grains which will serve as 

 food. In 1905 (while inspecting wheat-fields for Hessian Fly with Pro- 

 fessor Webster), it was found April 11 in Guilford County at base of 

 wheat plants. We did not find eggs nor observe mating. On April 14 

 (1905) Professor Webster found one adult in wheat-field in Mecklen- 

 burg County. My notes of that trip say : "Farmers say they appear 

 worse in spots near stumps, stones, and trash, in which, no doubt, they 

 hibernate. Stones and trash were near where these were found." The 

 adults which emerge in spring fly freely in search of suitable food. 



Once settled in the fields of small grain (or grass), they finally lay 

 ^ggs, and the young bugs which hatch feed on the growing plants. The 

 young bug bears a general resemblance to the adult, though it is red- 

 dish and wingless (there is no worm, larva, or caterpillar stage in the 



