INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CORN. 



141 



a simple matter, and a most practical and efficient method 

 of dealing with this troublesome pest. 



J 





k 



Fig. 78. — Grass Root-louse; wingless viviparous female. (After 



Forbes.) 



INJURING THE STALK. 



Corn Bill-bugs {Sphenophorns spp.). 



Description. — Throughout the South and often in the 

 more Northern States, Canada, and the West the Corn 

 Bill-bugs sometimes become serious enemies of young 

 corn-plants. They belong to the same class of " snout- 

 beetles "as the Plum Curculio and Grain-weevil, and to 

 the same family as the latter — the Cidandridce. They are 

 called " Bill-bugs" on account of the prolongation of the 

 head, termed a bill or snout, by means of which they are 

 enabled to drill holes in the corn-stalks. Several species 

 belonging to the genus Sphe?iophor2{s are commonly in- 

 jurious to corn. One of these, S. parvidus GylL, also 

 attacks small grains and timothy, and is therefore known 

 as the Grain Sphenophorus. xA.nother species, S. ohscurus 

 Boisd., does considerable injury to sugar-cane in Hawaii, 



