408 



CHINCH BUG. 



Blissus lencopterus. Say. Chinch Bug. 



Order Hemiptera. Family Ligceidce. 

 This destructive bug, though very small, is often so terribly in- 

 jurious that in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas it is often 

 the author of millions of dollar's worth of damage, and that some 

 times in a single State. What has been said of the other insects al- 

 ready referred to as to damage to grass, corn and wheat applies 

 to this as weh. That the chinch bug is more susceptible to sea- 

 sonal peculiarities — especially wet — than most insects, is well 

 known. While in very wet years it does little damage, in dry 

 years it sweeps as "with the besom of destruction"' the great 

 prairies of the West. That it does so little damage in Michigan, 

 New York and the East is doubtless owing to the fact that the 

 climate is too rigorous for it. Very likely the hibernating bug 

 succumbs to the severity of our long, cold winters. 



This insect. Fig. 155, 

 is hardly 4 m m long, 

 or less than 3-20 of an 

 inch. Its color is black 

 with white wings 

 m a r k e d with black 

 Fig. 155. Chinch bug. spots. The bugs hiber- 



nate in winter. In May they swarm forth in nuptial flight, and 

 soon after the egg laying begins. There are two or three broods, 

 so from June on they will be seen in all stages. The wingless 

 larvae, the short winged and equally active and hungry pupge 

 and the full fledged imago will all be seen sucking the juices 

 from the plants at one and the same time. 



Neatness in farm operations, not leaving corn-stalks and rub- 

 bish in the fields to protect and harbor the bugs in winter, is 

 about the only remedy possible. Prof. Forbes, whose admirable 

 researches and suggestions have been so valuable, has found that 



