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CHINCH BUGS. 

 FAMILY LYGiEID^. 



Ill this family is the famous ''Kut her glen bug,'' 

 one of the most destructive pests in Australia. It 

 is about a sixth of an inch long, and has grey Avings 

 spotted with black, and may be mistaken for a 

 small fly. It atta<?ks all kinds of cereals and many 

 fruits. It is thought that these bugs liibernate 

 during winter in grasses and weeds. Tlie eggs arc 

 laid on grass, and after two or tliree weeks the 

 young come forth. At first they are pale green and 

 wingless. After the first moult it becomes bright 

 red; later it clianges to a dull red. When full- 

 groAvn it is grey or brown in colour. Development 

 takes several weeks. 



This bug does serious damage to wheat crops at 

 times. On fruit — particularly peaches — it causes 

 black, pit-like spots, from which a globule of gum- 

 like substance exudes. 



Dilute kerosene oil and soap contact sprays are 

 of some use, except on hot days, when the insect.5 

 fly off readily. Care must be taken that the sprays 

 are not strong enougli to spot or taint ripening 

 fruit. Shaking the branches over a shallow dish 

 of kerosene and water, in the early morning, when 

 these bugs seem inactive, has proved one of the 

 most effective measures in coping with them. Grass 

 or weeds in orchards should be turned in before 

 spring to destroy eggs Avhich may be thereon. 



