234 



Recommendations liave even gone so far as to suggest the removal of 

 Lodges to prevent chincli bugs using these as favorable locations for 

 hibernation. All such measures seem to be of comparatively little 

 value under the circumstances. Knowing that the chinch bug nor- 

 mally selects grass stools for its winter retreat, the burning over of 

 such grass land would immediately suggest itself as an effective meaus 

 of destroying the insect, and in a measure such action is advisable. 

 To be at all successful, however, the burning should be done after a 

 prolonged dry spell, so that the heat will penetrate well into the stools, 

 otherwise many of the insects will escape because of being so deeply 

 buried between the stalks and partly protected by earth and moisture. 

 The burning should preferably be done during midwinter and after a 

 succession of warm days, which might result in the emergence of the 

 bugs from their decider recesses under the influence of light and 

 warmth . Early burning — 'th at is, in December or January — is advisable, 

 to longer subject the bugs escaping the action of the fire to the destruc- 

 tive agency of the winter storms, which should have good efl'ect in 

 the absence of the very great protection normally aflbrded by the grass. 



The life-cycle of this insect for central Kansas may be summarized as 

 follows : 



April 10-20, si)ring flight from hibernating quarters in grass stools 

 to wheatflelds. 



April 20-30, in coitu about the roots of wheat. 



May 1-31, deposition of eggs on wheat roots beneath surface of the 

 soil, with young hatching from May 15 to June 15. 



July 1-15, maturing of the first brood, followed immediately by the 

 midsummer flight, if a migration of immature and adult forms has not 

 been previously occasioned by the harvesting of grain or the local fail, 

 ure of the food supply. 



July 15-30, union of the sexes and deposition of eggs in the soil about 

 late corn or millet, the young of this brood appearing in maximum 

 numbers about xVugust 5. 



August 20-September 10, maturing of the second brood and partial 

 flight of same to late corn or other green crops if in fields of corn 

 already mature and dying. 



September 15 to October 15, autumnal flight to grass lands and con- 

 cealment m stools for hibernation. 



