57 
Prof. Riley adds another, melanosus , “in which the usual white of 
the wings is quite dusky and contains additional black marks at the 
base and tow T ard the tips, and in which all the members and the body, 
except the rufous hind end of the thorax, are jet black.” 
It is but an act of justice to state that as early as 1845 (Prairie 
Farmer for Oct., 1845) Mr. J. Hadley gave the first brief description 
of the larval state, although brief and making no pretensions to scien¬ 
tific accuracy, yet the larval and pupal states are clearly indicated. 
(See his letter, page 42.) 
Although the habits of these insects are somewhat fully indicated 
in the foregoing extracts, yet it is best that I should state them brief¬ 
ly here in a more connected order than given in those quotations. 
This is also necessary as some of the earlier statements and opinions 
have been found to be erroneous. 
Number of Broods and Hibernation. 
It was known soon after the insect became troublesome that there 
were more broods than one, some, as Mr. Hadley, supposing there 
were “ five or six generations.” It is a quite common opinion, and is 
held by many to the present day, that there are three broods. This 
belief arises very naturally from the fact that those which hibernate 
appear in the spring to deposit eggs ; the perfect insects from these 
are counted as a second brood, the fall brood being the third, according 
to this method of counting ; but as will be seen by careful observation, 
those which appear in the spring are the same ones seen late in the 
fall. 
Prof. Riley published the fact in 1866 that they are but two-brooded 
in the northern part of this State. Subsequent observations have 
shown this to be the rule in the other part of the State and through¬ 
out the Northwest. There is some evidence of an occasional third 
brood in the extreme southern part of the State, but not sufficient to 
justify me in asserting it as a fact, or to satisfy me of its correctness. 
Insects may pass the winter as eggs, which is a very common 
method; as larvte or young, which is rather unusual; as pupse, which 
is a very common method in those orders where the pupa state is one 
of complete quiescence; and lastly, they may pass the winter as per¬ 
fect insects. 
The last method is the one adopted by the Chinch-bug. When cold 
weather comes on those of the fall brood leave the now dry and har¬ 
dened corn stalks and seek secure places in which to remain during 
the winter. Occasionally they take flight at this time, but usually 
they seek the most secure places which can be found in and immedi¬ 
ately around the field. Any rubbish left in the field, if of a nature 
to meet their wants, is eagerly sought; corn shocks, straw piles, 
stumps, logs, and fence rows are used as hiding places; they even 
hide beneath the clods when no better places can be found. But 
many move into the forest, grove or wood-land, if either happens to 
be near at hand. I have found also that the line of bushes along a 
little branch traversing the field is a favorite resort. Sheds, barns, 
rail fences, and stacks often furnish them with winter quarters. 
