THE CHINCH BUG. 9 
territory in the States of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, IUinois, Wiscon- 
sin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. In this case the dam- 
age was estimated by the United States statistician, Mr. J. R. Dodge, 
at $60,000,000, the heaviest losses occurring in Illinois, Iowa, Mis- 
sourl, and Kansas.!. This gives us as the estimated loss in the 38 
years from 1850 to 1887, both inclusive, the enormous sum of 
$267 ,000,000. 
here was a serious outbreak in Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, and 
Illinois, having its beginning probably as early as 1892, but reaching 
its maximum severity, as in Ohio, in 1896. The loss in Ohio during 
the years 1894, 1895, 1896, and 1897 could not have fallen far short 
Fic. 6.—Areas in the United States over which the chinch bug occurs in most destructive numbers. 
(Author’s illustration.) 
of $2,000,000. If we could have careful estimates of the loss during 
the last fifteen or twenty years it would in all probability swell the 
amount to considerably in excess of $350,000,000 for the period from 
1850 to 1915. (See map, fig. 6.) 
NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE CHINCH BUG. 
Chinch bugs have few predaceous insect enemies, none of which, 
owing perhaps to their repugnant odor, appears to be of any very 
great importance when it comes to suppressing a serious invasion. 
They are far more fortunate than most insects in escaping the attacks 
of natural enemies that exert a tremendous influence in holding other 
species in check. 
' Report U.S. Commissioner of Agriculture for 1887, p. 56. Washington, 1888. 
82461°—Bull. 657—15 2 
