The Chinch Bug and Its Control. 15 
One of the group of round worms, commonly known as “hair 
snakes,” occasionally destroys a few chinch bugs, but it is not numer- 
ous enough to be important. 
At least 24 of the insect-feeding species of birds destroy chinch 
bugs along with many other kinds of insects. Quails and meadow- 
larks have been rated as the most important of the chinch-bug de- 
stroying birds. While these birds seldom occur in large numbers in 
the midst of outbreaks of chinch bugs and do not especially seek 
this insect in preference to others, they are a valuable enough 
factor in destroying this and other injurious insects to deserve the 
fullest possible protection. 
Lizards, frogs, and toads make the chinch bug an occasional 
though unimportant addition to their ration. In the southwestern 
range of the chinch bug the so-called horned toad ** is sometimes 
found with more chinch bugs than all other insects together in its 
stomach. Like all of the foregoing, however, it is not numerous 
enough seriously to reduce the chinch bug. 
CONTROL MEASURES. 
MEASURES MUST BE ADAPTED TO THE CONDITIONS. 
Many methods for destroying chinch bugs and for limiting or pre- 
venting damage by them are given in the following pages on the basis 
that each may be practical at some time or place, although no one 
method will always be practicable. Each farmer is obliged to adapt 
his protective measures to weather conditions, location of field, va- 
riety and condition of crops infested and likely to become infested, 
available equipment, chemicals, and labor. The various methods of 
control are arranged on the basis of a season’s campaign, beginning 
in the fall, as preventive measures of great importance may be started 
then. 
Something may be done toward controlling the chinch bug during 
almost every month of the year, either by direct attack or by pre- 
ventive measures. Continued attack on the pest at every opportunity 
throughout one season insures against loss the following season. 
Although control measures should be under way almost every month 
in seasons of outbreak, there are three periods during the year when 
the chinch bugs may be most effectively destroyed. These are: First, 
when they are just firmly established in winter quarters in November 
and early December; second, from the time the overwintering adults 
have concentrated in fields of wheat and other small grains until the 
wheat is harvested and the bugs have begun to migrate to fields of 
corn and sorghum; and third, from the time the corn and sorghum 
fields are harvested until the bugs are driven by cool: weather into 
winter quarters. 
2» Phrynosoma cornutum Harlan. 
