FIELD CROP INSECTS 239 



The bugs hibernate over winter in clumps of grass, in 

 the butts and in old shocks of corn, or under whatever rub- 

 bish is available. In early spring they feed upon grass and 

 small grains. The females lay their small yellowish-white 

 eggs upon the roots or bases of the stalks, each laying from 

 150 to 200 eggs from the middle of April until June first. 

 The eggs hatch in about three weeks. The young bugs often 

 do serious injury to small grains and grasses and become full 

 grown about the time the former are harvested. When the 

 small grains are harvested the bugs spread to corn, but 

 curiously enough, although the adults are winged they 

 usually travel from field to field on foot. Eggs are then 

 laid on the corn, between the leaf-sheaths and the stalks, 

 and hatch in about ten days. This second brood matures 

 in August and September and hibernates over winter, 

 although where corn is not available the whole season may be 

 passed on grass. 



The burning over of grass land and the grass along fences, 

 hedges and roads, as soon as it becomes dry enough in late 

 fall and early winter, is of prime importance for destroying 

 the bugs after they have gone into hibernation, and if thor- 

 oughly done by co-operative effort over large areas, will be 

 the cheapest and most effective means of control. The 

 removal of all corn stalks from the fields and plowing the 

 butts under deeply, or, where the bugs are very abundant, 

 raking out the butts and burning them, will be of importance 

 in some sections. 



It is practically impossible to combat the bugs success- 

 fully on small grains and grass, but the migration to corn may 

 be effectually checked. This may be done best by running a 

 line of thick, viscid road oil (No. 7 of the Standard Oil Co., 

 Whiting, Ind.), around the field to be protected. The soil 

 should be prepared for this oil line by plowing a back furrow 



