11 



Prairie Farmer, July, 1855, v. 15, p. 206. Insects. 



Statement that chinch bugs are troublesome in Kane, DuPage, 

 and DeKalb counties, and that they have been reported farther 

 southward. 



Strattan, M. E. — Jasper County. (Prairie Farmer, Aug., 1855, 

 V. 15, p. 257.) 



Chinch bugs almost ruined the crops last year in Jasper, Clay, 

 Richland, Effingham, and Cumberland counties, and did considerable 

 damage elsewhere. Large amount of stock perished with huuger, 

 and breadstuff is difficult to procure because of light yield due 

 entirely to the chinch bugs. They destroyed many acres of oats, 

 and then concentrated upon the corn about the time of silking, 

 killing it completely. 



Smith, E. C— The Chinch Bug. (The Cultivator, Aug., 1855, ser. 

 3, V. 3, pp. 237,238.) 



Writes from Christy's Prairie, Co., Ind., that the 



•chinch bug appeared in his vicinity about nine years ago. Goes 

 apparently from wheat stubble to corn and other crops. Begins 

 breeding in May, and correspondeut thinks it probable that it is 

 produced in regular succession throughout the entire season. Said 

 to destroy great quantities of the growing crops by sucking juice 

 from the plants. The ravages of five years— 1851-55 — are de- 

 scribed. 



Fitch, Asa.— [The Chinch Bug.] (The Cultivator, Aug. 15, 1855, 

 ser. 3, V. 3, pp. 238, 239.) 



Commenting on the above article by Mr. Smith, Fitch reports 

 his personal observations on the chinch bug in Northern Illinois 

 the year before, when he found the insect in myriads over a large 

 district of country. Discusses the origin and meaning of the com- 

 mon name; mentions "Mormon louse" as a popular name in North- 

 western Illinois; and refers to Say's original description under the 

 technical name Lygceus leucopterus. Refers the species to the 

 more recent Micropus of Spinola. 



Ide, L. H. — Hedges and Chinch Bugs. (Prairie Farmer, Sept., 

 1855, V. 15, p. 284.) 



Reports chinch bugs as having been very destructive to wheat. 

 After wheat harvest went to corn, some of which is being severely 

 injured. Have been worst on late broken i)rairie sod, where 

 wheat was injured by freezing in May. 



Prairie Farmer, Sept., 1855, v. 15, p. 296. Chinch Bugs. 



Reports great consternation in Coles Co., and in counties ad- 

 joining, on account of the chinch bug. Some farmers selling out 

 and leaving for Iowa and Kansas. Bugs reported in Pike county. < 



