THE CHINCH BUG. 21 
we have already shown, a third brood has appeared by the time the 
corn becomes hard, and the bugs seek the Crab-grass and there feed 
until ready for hibernation, finding in this grass, moreover, good shelter 
for the winter. 
The general statements here given apply to the average Chinch Bug 
year in Illinois, Missouri, and the surrounding States, as the articles 
from which we have drawn our main facts are the results of observa- 
tions made in these States. The life history and habits of the species 
undoubtedly differ considerably in the more southern States, where, 
however, it seldom does much damage. It is very doubtful, however, 
that the habits differ so greatly as to admit of the correctness of the 
statement quoted by Fitch from the Southern Planter (XV, 269), that 
the eggs are laid in the ground in autumn where they remain through 
the winter and until the warmth of the ground the following year 
causes them to hatch! This great error (at least for the West and 
North) is unfortunately perpetuated by Dr. Lintuer in his second re- 
port as State entomologist of New York, p. 153. There seems, in fact, 
every reason to suppose that this was simply a guess on the part of the 
editor of the Southern Planter without the slightest observation to 
substantiate it. At our request, Professor Atkinson examined a num- 
ber of females found near Chapel Hill, N. C, in November, but found 
no evidence of mature eggs. He also searched carefully for deposited 
eggs with, of course, negative results. He states that Mr. Thomas S. 
Weaver, of Chapel Hill, has observed the bugs for the past ten years 
and states that they never oviposit in autumn. 
In exceptional seasons and under exceptional conditions the life-his- 
tory and habits will vary considerably even in the localities referred to; 
for example, in 1882, according to Professor Forbes's first Illinois report, 
there was evidently in some parts of the State but one brood, and the 
first young bugs were not seen before July 10. The eggs of the first 
brood were in some localities this season laid upon corn. 
NATURAL ENEMIES AND DISEASES. 
Insect Enemies. — No true internal insect parasites of the Chinch Bug 
have yet been found. In fact very few of these smaller Heteroptera are 
parasitized except in the egg state. The minute Proctotrupidse belong- 
ing to Teleas and Telenomus infest the eggs of allied species and may 
ultimately be found to attack the eggs of the Chinch Bug. Outside of 
these genera, however, we can hardly expect any aid from parasitic in- 
sects. In this connection, although it does not strictly come under this 
head, we may mention that in 1885 Mr. Webster found a species of Mer- 
mis (" hair-snakes") among the dried moltings and dead bodies of certain 
Chinch Bugs in a stalk of Setaria, which gives rise to a strong proba- 
bility that one of these creatures will be found to infest the bug. Many 
predaceous insects destroy them, although their disgusting odor is prob- 
ably more or less a protection. 
