INSECT PESTS OF GARDEN AND FIELD 219 
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The grasshoppers are favorite specimens for the study of 
insect structure. With a strong magnifying lens we can 
see the appearance of the compound eye and may notice 
that the insect also has three simple eyes, one “ right in the 
middle of his forehead,” and one near each of the larger eyes. 
This arrangement enables him to see in all directions with- 
out turning his head; but even then the meadow lark gets 
him. Another feature clearly distinguished in grasshoppers 
is the three parts of the insect: the head with the mouth 
parts, feelers, and eyes; the thorax bearing the legs and 
wings; and the abdomen, which is the ringed portion. On 
each side of the abdomen may be seen a row of breathing 
holes looking like minute pin holes. These are the openings 
of the animal’s breathing tubes. 
The Chinch Bug is easily one of the most injurious insects 
of the Mississippi Valley. It is estimated that the loss it 
causes to our grain crops will average $20,000,000 
a year. Wheat is the principal crop attacked, 
but oats, rye, barley, and corn are also infested. 
After the small grains are ripe, great swarms 
of these creatures migrate to the corn fields 
if any are to be found. 
They pass the winter in the adult stage under 
dead leaves, grass, and rubbish, and in the 
spring these adults lay eggs on the base of the plants to be 
attacked by the young. Usually there are not enough of 
these adults to do much harm, but as each female lays about 
500 eggs, and as there are two broods during the summer, the 
fields often swarm with’ them in the latter part of the season. 
The Hessian Fly is a serious wheat pest, being most de- 
structive in winter wheat growing districts. It causes enor- 
mous losses some years, running into many millions of dollars 
Cuincu Buc 
Magnified. 
