INSECT LIFE. 131 



CHAPTER XII. 



INSECT LIFE. 



Number of Species. Predatory species. Chinch Bug. Army Worm. 

 Hessian Fly. Potato Beetle. Insects that prey on orchards and groves. 



IN articulate animal life, the most important class is that of in- 

 sects. As in temperate latitudes generally, they are more nu- 

 merously developed in genera, species and individuals than any 

 other section of the animal kingdom. In fact, they dispute with 

 man the empire of the world. During spring and summer they 

 are omnipresent ; when the naked eye does not recognize them the 

 microscope brings them to light. In Nebraska the number of 

 species is very great, approximating to eight or nine thousand. 

 About one-fourth of these are predatory and non-injurious species, 

 leaving not less than six thousand, or two and a half injurious 

 species to every species of plant in the State. This calculation is 

 based on the original constitution of the State, and not on the con- 

 dition into which it has been brought by civilization. The great 

 body of injurious species are so few in number that they rarely do 

 any damage that is noticeable. Here, as elsewhere, only excep- 

 tional conditions, as a rule, develope injurious species to a tempor- 

 ary and damaging multitude. Judging from observation for fif- 

 teen years, the insects which we have most to dread are the chinch 

 bug, army worm, Hessian fly, potato beetle, the insects which prey 

 on our orchards and groves, and the locusts. 



THE CHINCH BUG 



is the dread of the agriculturists of the Mississippi Valley. It some- 

 times occurs in Kansas in enormous numbers, and the probabilities 

 are that it is more to be dreaded on the plains of Nebraska than 

 even the locust. I fear it is on the increase. At least, during the 

 lae,t season more have been sent to me for examination than ever 

 before. And although most persons are familiar with its gen- 

 eral life-history, I will repeat it, because I believe that here 

 it has slightly changed its habits; at least, some individuals 



