False Chinch Bug 



this author the above is too strong for turnips and radishes, for which 

 one pound of soap to ten gallons water should be used, adding one part 

 of nicotine sulphate to 1000 parts of water. 



DESCRIPTION 

 The Egg 



The eggs, which are deposited in crevices of the ground and upon 

 certain plants, are very small, being about Jj of an inch long by about 

 one-fourth as wide at the greatest diameter. They are finely ribbed 

 lengthwise. The color is pale yellowish white, taking on an orange tinge 

 as the young bug develops within. 



The Nymph 



The nymphs are slightly reddish when first hatched, becoming grayer 

 with age. When about half grown they appear as shown in Figure 11, 

 Plate VIII, Page 2 5. 



The Adult 



The adult (Fig. 12, Plate VIII, Page 25) is about & of an inch long. 

 The color of the head, body and legs is brownish gray, with fine dark 

 spots over the surface. These spots are especially prominent on the legs. 

 The wings are whitish. The color of the body showing through them 

 gives them a grayish appearance. 



LIFE HISTORY 



The number of broods produced annually will depend upon the 

 latitude and general weather conditions prevailing. There are probably 

 four or five in the latitude of Denver. 



According to the author already quoted,* the late fall and early 

 spring broods deposit their eggs in cracks in the soil surface or in pul- 

 verized soil. During the warmer months the eggs are thrust among 

 the clustered parts of plants such as the flower heads of some weeds** 

 and the glumes of the strong scented stink-grass or love-grass. 



When first hatched the young feed upon weeds almost exclusively, 

 especially the shepherd's-purse, peppergrass and pennycress. 



At maturity the adults scatter to other plants. It is at this time 

 that beet seed fields become infested. 



The adults of the last generation in the fall spend the winter in 

 hibernation. 



NATURAL ENEMIES 



Very little seems to be known of the natural enemies of this bug. 

 The writer has observed many adults containing the maggots of a small 

 two- winged fly. 



Many bugs were killed by a fungous disease in breeding cages, but 

 no noticeable effect of this malady was observed in the field. 



*F. B. Milhken. "The False Chinch Bug and Measures for Controlling It." Farmers' Bu'ietin No. 

 762. U. S. Department of Agriculture (1916). 



**Caillardia pulchella Foug. Mollugo verticillata L. 



121 



