~ = ‘ ’ 
4 i \ a 
- 4 
¥ 
: REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 65 
ae 
_ there feed until ready for hibernation, finding in this grass, moreover, 
- good shelter for the winter. 
The general statements here given apply to the average Chinch- 
bug year in Illinois, Missouri, and the surrounding States, as the 
articles from which we have drawn our main facts are the results of 
observations made in these States.. The life history and habits of 
the species undoubtedly differ considerably in the more southern 
States, where, however, it seldom does much damage. It is very 
doubtful, however, that the habits differ so greatly as to admit of 
. the correctness of the statement quoted by Fitch from the Southern 
‘Planter (XV, 269) that the eggs are laid in the ground in autumn, 
where they remain through the winter and until the warmth of the 
ground the following year causes them to hatch! This great error . 
(at least for the West and North) is unfortunately perpetuated by 
Dr. Lintner in his second report as State Hntomologist of New York, 
. 155. 
> There seems, in fact, every reason to suppose that this was simply 
a guess on the part of the editor of the Southern Planter, without the 
slightest observation to substantiate it. At our request Professor 
Atkinson examined a number of females found near Chapel Hill, 
N. C., in November, but found no evidence of mature eggs. He 
also searched carefully for deposited eggs with, of course, negative 
results. He states that Mr. Thomas 8. Weaver, of Chapel Hill, has 
observed the bugs for the past ten years, and states that they never 
deposit in autumn. 
In exceptional seasons and under exceptional conditions the life 
history and habits will vary considerably even in the localities re- 
ferred to; for example, in 1882, according to Professor Forbes’ first 
Illinois report, there was evidently in some parts of the State but 
one brood, and the first young bugs were not seen before July 10. 
The eggs of the first brood were in some localities this season laid 
upon corn. 
NATURAL ENEMIES AND DISEASES. 
INSECT ENEMIES.—No true internal insect parasites of the Chinch- 
bug have yet been found. In fact, very few of the smaller Heterop- 
tera are parasitized except in the egg state. The minute Proctotru- 
pidee belonging to Teleas and Telenomus infest the eggs of allied 
species and may ultimately be found to attack the eggs of the 
hinch Bug. Outside of these genera, however, we can haeale: expect 
any aid from parasitic insects. In this connection, although it 
does not strictly come under this head, we may mention that in 
1885 Mr. Webster found a species of Mermis (‘‘ hair snakes”) among 
the dried moultings and dead bodies of certain Chinch Bugs in a 
stalk of Setaria, which gives rise to a strong probability that one of 
_ these creatures will be found to infest the bug. Many predaceous 
insects destroy them, although their~disgusting odor is probably 
-more or less a protection. 
Mr. Walsh, in 1861, mentioned four Lady-birds, viz, the Spotted 
Lady-bird (Hippodamia maculata, Plate ITI, fig. 6), the Trim Lady- 
bird Nena tes munda, now called Cycloneda sanguinea, Plate III, 
fig. 4), and two species of Scymnus. In 1882 Professor Forbes found 
five species of Lady-birds (including the first two mentioned by 
Walsh) extremely abundant on corn (15 or 20 to a hill) which was 
infested by hosts of Chinch Bugs. The contents of the stomachs 
of a few specimens of each were examined, with the following re- 
AG 87 5 
