The Chinch Bug and Its Control. i 
west of a line drawn from Toledo, Ohio, to Pittsburgh, Pa. The 
long-winged form mingles with the short-winged form throughout 
the territory occupied by the latter. Both forms are white immedi- 
ately after the skin is shed, but soon become black. The upper wings 
are whitish at the base, white at the tips, and bear a black spot about 
the center. The under wings are whitish, 
folded membranes. The insect is about 
one-fifth inch or less in length. 
The adult may be easily distinguished 
from the young or nymph by its larger 
size, the possession of four wings, and the 
absence of pink or red coloration. It does 
not differ greatly in size and color from 
the large nymphs in the last stage of 
growth, but its whitish upper wings make 
identification easy. 
THE EGG. 
Soon after transferring to the wheat 
fields in the spring the bugs lay their 
eggs (fig. 4) in the soil about the roots 
and on the roots and stems of the wheat, 
also particularly on the lower leaves of Fie. 3—Chinch bug adult, short- 
the wheat. During the summer the eggs ira Oe ay 
can be found in the soil around the roots ; 
of corn, kafir, and similar crops, and on the roots and basal leaves. 
The average egg length is about 0.033 inch, the average width 
about 0.012 inch. It is shaped somewhat like a navy bean. One end 
is flattened and bears from three to five minute projections. When 
first laid the egg is pale yellowish, but within 
a day or two it darkens to an amber color, and 
finally shows the red coloring of the little 
insect within. The size sometimes increases 
to nearly 0.04 inch before hatching. 
THE YOUNG. 
4.—Hggs of the 
chinck bug... Greatly The chinch bug undergoes six transforma- 
enlarged. : : 
tions or stages after emerging from the egg, 
at least in South Carolina, where it has been studied most care- 
fully. Almost immediately upon issuing from the egg, the little 
reddish nymph (fig. 2, a) starts feeding and locates where it is 
sheltered from the sun, rain, and its natural enemies. The insect 
moves about from place to place throughout its life, and hence 
may be found in various positions, ranging from the tip to the 
