532 Report of the Entomologists of the 



bug measures a little more than one-eighth of one inch in length, is black 

 in color, with white wings, each one of which is marked with a black 

 spot. 



The adults pass the winter hidden away close by the roots of certain 

 grasses. They seem to prefer to seek shelter in stools -of grass. The 

 time of the appearance of the bugs in the spring undoubtedly varies 

 with the season. The eggs, which are very small and of a whitish 

 color, are laid in early spring at the base of grasses and grains. A single 

 femiale will lay as many as 250 eggs. The eggs hatch in about two 

 weeks. The young bugs, which are ealled nymphs, are at first yellow in 

 color, but soon change to a bright red, with the exception of a portion of 

 the anterior part of the body, which is darker. They moult four times 

 before reaching maturity, and it is not until this time that their wings 

 are fully developed. Five weeks is usually required for the change. 

 Although the time varies in different seasons, it is probable that, in this 

 state, the first brood matures in July or August. Eggs for a second 

 brood are soon laid. The young of this brood are mature by the time 

 winter sets in, when shelter is sought by the bugs as above stated. The 

 common name chinch bug was given this insect because of the resem- 

 blance of the nymphs to the bed bug, which was known throughout tl»e 

 South by the Spanish name chincho. 



The chief diet of the chinch bug consists of th« juices of grains and grasses. 

 Usually the crops which are most seriously injured are wheat, barley, Indian 

 corn and timothy. Th.e bugs do not devour the tissue, for, in common 

 with other true bugs, their month parts are not fitted for biting, but are 

 modified into a tube, by means of which the sap is sucked from the in- 

 fested plants. 



The presence of the chinch bug in a field of grass or grain may often 

 be detected at some distance by the wilted and perhaps withered appear- 

 ance of the infested plants. When occurring in large numbers, tlie bugs 

 cluster around the stalk of the plants in great numbers, sucking tlie sap 

 vigorously. The plants, thus deprived of much of their needed nourish- 

 ment, soon show the effect of the attack. 



During certain seasons, great numbers of the chinch bugs have been 

 observed to succumb to a fungous disease. Several years ago experi- 

 ments were begun to ascertain if this fungus could be used as a practical 

 means of checking the bugs. Although in some instances very successful, 

 it has been found that this method cannot always be depended upon, 

 although in wet seasons it miay aid materially in decreasing the numbers 

 of the bugs. These experiments have been largely carried on at the 

 agricultural experiment stations in states wliere the chinch bug was doing 

 sufficient damage to warrant the expense of the undertaking. Chief 

 among these are the Stations at St. Anthony Park, Minn.; Manhattan, 

 Kans.; Lincoln, Neb.; Urbaua, 111., and Wooster, Ohio. 



Undoubtedly one of the most satisfactory methods of combating tlie 

 cliinoli bug in this state in localities Avliere it occurs iu sufficient numbers 



