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Thomas, Cyrus. — Insects injuring Field Crops. (Farmers' Review^ 

 November 24, 1881, vol. 7, p. 322.) 



Corn sustained heavy damage by drouth, but chinch bugs have 

 increased it. Twenty-five years' experience shows that in Illinois 

 the chinch bug is the greatest insect foe of corn, injuring it more 

 than all other species combined. It cannot be checked by appli- 

 cations of any kind. This can only be done by radical changes 

 in methods of cropping. In the middle and southern sections of 

 the State the best plan is to plant less corn; and the next best 

 thing is to utilize our meteorological records, ascertaining by this 

 means, with reasonable certainty, the general character of the 

 coming year. Eefers to the verification of his prediction of a dry 

 season in 1881 and the probable appearance of the chinch bug, as* 

 indicating the discovery of a meteorological law applicable at least 

 to Illinois. Farmers will consequently need to crop against this 

 insect only in such years as it is likely to appear. Predicts no 

 great trouble on account of it in 1882 or for three or four years 

 following. Quotes conclusions from Dr. Le Baron's Second Report 

 as State Entomologist of Illinois, saying, however, that he thinks 

 Dr. Le Baron overestimates the damage done to wheat by this 

 pest, and that his conclusion that "the presence of chinch bugs 

 the preceding year will not prevent the raising of corn or any of 

 • the winter grains" is not applicable to the more northern section 

 of the State. 



Riley, C. Y.— The Chinch Bug. (American Agriculturist, Novem- 

 ber and December, 1881. pp. 4/6, 515, figs. 1, 2, 8, and 1, 2, 

 3,4.) 



Very seriously injurious in the grain-growing sections of tlie 

 Mississippi Valley the past season. An indigenous American in- 

 sect, thriving best in southerly latitudes and in a warm dry cli- 

 mate. In estimating its injury it is difficult to eliminate that due 

 to drouth alone, bat careful com]nitations show that the loss by 

 the chinch bug in Illinois and Missouri in 1874 amounted to 

 about $50,000,000. Feeds exclusively on grasses and cereals, and 

 by suction. Short description, with sketch of habits and natural 

 history. Heavy rains, wet seasons, and warm, moist, or open 

 winters very ])rejudicial to it. Natural enemies are few and afford 

 but a slight check upon it. Ants (which destroy eggs) and some 

 of its nearer relatives among thi^ half-winged bugs are mentioned 

 as perhaps most efficient among insect enemies, and the (juail is 

 said to l)e ])rominent among the few birds tliat feed upon it wlien 

 hard j)ashe(l for food. Figures of the insidious flower bug, the 

 many-banded rob})er, the false chinch bug, and the ash-gray leaf 

 bug giv(;n, as they are often mistaken for tlie chinch bug — the 

 latter also figured. Summary of direct renKulics from 7tli Missouri 

 Report. The vahie and genenil i)racti<-}d)ility of irrigation as a 

 destru(ttive measure emphasized. Burning in winter (piarters next 

 in importance as a remedy. Sow spring wheat early and 

 ground. Winter whejit may also be rolled, but early sowing of 

 Ihis would iiicreas*' li;il)ilifv to injni-y by Ib'ssi.-m fly. Sow thirdly 



