ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY — ENTOMOLOGY. 547 



The biology of Cimex boueti, C. Joyeux (Arch. Par., 10 (1913), No. 1, pp. IJfO- 

 146, figs. 8). — This hemipteran is said to occur commonly at various points in 

 the Sudan. 



The chinch bug (Blissus leucopterus), T. J. Headlee and J. W. McColloch 

 (Kansas 8ta. Bui. 191 {191S), pp. 287-^53, figs. iP).— This summarized account 

 of the chinch bug is based upon a review of the literature and investigations 

 conducted in Kansas. The subject is taken up under the headings of habits 

 and life history, injury, natural checks, and measures of control. 



"The chinch bug winters in bunch grass (Andropogon scoparius), big blue- 

 stem (A. furcaius) false redtop {TripJasis purpurea), and various other shel- 

 ters. With the coming of spring the bugs leave their winter quarters and 

 locate in wheat and other small grains. Here young are produced that reach 

 maturity shortly after harvest time. With the failure of food in the small 

 grain field these bugs migrate, usually on foot, into adjacent fields of corn and 

 sorghum. Here young are produced that reach maturity by fall and establish 

 winter quarters in the grasses. The chinch bug, both as young and as adult, 

 damages its food plants by piercing the rind, sucking the sap, and killing the 

 tissue about the wound. The chinch bug damages Kansas crops many millions 

 of dollars in a single year, and many greatly reduce the wheat and absolutely 

 destroy the corn and sorghums of the individual farmer. The chinch bug 

 thrives in dry seasons and dies in wet ones. Wet weather destroys it directly 

 and indirectly — directly by burying the young and the eggs; indirectly by 

 weakening the bug and rendering it more susceptible of disease, and by en- 

 couraging the growth of its terrible fungus parasite (Sporotrichum globu- 

 liferum). 



" The chinch bug has no eflBcient natural enemies other than certain para- 

 sitic fungi, the most active of which is 8. glohuUferum. The parasitic fungi 

 are well distributed throughout that part of the United States subject to chinch 

 bug outbreaks, and cause great epidemics when temperature and moisture be- 

 come favorable. An average mean temperature of 75" F. and a moisture close 

 to saturation are most favorable to the activity of /S. glohuliferum. 



"All the really careful work thus far done on the problem agrees with our 

 own results in showing that it is not possible by artificial distribution of the 

 fungus materially to hasten the progress of the chinch bug disease caused by 

 S. glohuliferum. The advocacy of the control of the chinch bug by artificial 

 distribution of the fungus has already cost Kansas many millions of dollars 

 in staple crops through engendering the neglect of really efficient measures, 

 and further advocacy of it is opposed to the best interests of Kansas agricul- 

 ture. All the most careful tests at this station and elsewhere show that twice 

 during the year the chinch bug may be destroyed — while passing from wheat 

 and other small grains into adjacent fields of corn and sorghum, and when 

 just firmly established in winter quarters. Destruction of chinch bugs in 

 winter quarters by use of fire has proven, in our experience, the cheapest and 

 most practicable method of solving the problem." 



Bum the chinch bug in winter quarters, G. A. Dean and J. W. McColloch 

 (Kansas Sta. Giro. 32, pp. 7, figs. 4). — This circular, emphasizing the impor- 

 tance of destroying the chinch bug in its winter quarters, is based upon the 

 investigations reported in the bulletin noted above. 



The grape leafhopper in the Lake Erie Valley, F. Johnson (U. S. Dept. 

 Agr. Bui. 19 (1914), pp. 41, pis. 3, figs. i3).— This report is based upon studies 

 of Typhlocyba conies conducted at North East, Pa., commenced in 1910. and 

 includes frequent references to the literature. Reports of field experiments by 

 the author have been previously noted (E. S. R., 27, p. 758), as have studies 

 by Hartzell of the New York State Station (E. S. R., 27, p. 157). 



