THE chinch-bug: a circular relating to it. i6i 



Circular No. 1 — October, 1883. 



New York State Museum of Natural History 

 Department of Entomology. 



"\ 



Directions for Arrestimj the Chinch-hiig Invasion of Northern Neto 



York. 



Portions of St. Lawrence county, New York, are now suffering from 

 a serious attack of the chinch-bug {Blissus leiccopterus) — perhaps the 

 most injurious of our insect enemies. 



It has already, in the third year (probably) of its introduction, and 

 the second year of the observation of its attack, spread to such an ex- 

 tent, and shown such a rapid increase under very unfavorable condi- 

 tions, that a continued increase in its diffusion and destructiveness is 

 l^robable, unless effectual measures can be taken to prevent it. 



At present, only timothy and other grasses seem to have been attacked. 

 Wherever attacked, the root is destroyed, and the grass, consequently, 

 is entirely killed. 



With its increase, its ravages would extend to wheat, rye, barley and 

 corn, which are its favorite food-plants. 



' Its extension over the State of New York, as now threatened, would 

 be attended with an annual loss of millions of dollars. 



It seems practicable, at this stage, to prevent this extension, by earn- 

 est and combined effort throughout the district now invaded. 



The most favorable time for this effort has already passed ; but much 

 may be accomplished by immediate action. 



As it is of very great importance that this destructive insect — the 

 terror of our Southern and Western farmers — should not be permitted 

 to obtain a permanent footing in our State, hitherto free from its depre- 

 dations, a prompt and full compliance with the following directions is 

 strongly urged : 



1. Let every farmer in St. Lawrence county and adjacent counties in 

 Northern New York (particularly in the western portion of St. Lawrence 

 and northern of Jefferson), examine his meadows for patches of dead 

 grass, looking as if winter-killed, indicating the attack of the insect. As 

 an aid to its ready recognition, the infested areas upon the farm of 

 Mr. H. C. King, of the town of Hammond, St. Lawrence county, may 

 be examined. 



2. If the attack is detected, burn the dead grass and its surrounding 

 border of fifteen or twenty feet not yet showing attack. This may be 

 effectually done by first applying a covering of straw. A favoring wind 

 is desirable for the purpose. 



3. Plow the burned area (better still if the plowing extends beyond 

 this limit and embraces the entire meadow) in broad and deep furrows, 

 turning the sod completely and flatly over, not permitting it to lie in 

 ridges. 



4. To insure the more effectual burying of the insects that may be at 

 present feeding upon, or preparing to pass the winter among, the roots 

 of the grasses, harrow the plowed surface slightly, and follow with a 

 heavy rolling. 



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