51 
Riley, C. V.—The Chinch Bug— Micropus leucopterus (Say) 
(Seventh Rept. State Ent. Mo., 1874, pp. 19-50. Appendix 
pp. 51-71, figs. 2, 3, 4.) ^ 
An exhaustive treatment of the subject, called out by the un- 
paralled damage done by the chinch bug in Missouri in 1874, and 
the general ignorance prevailing there concerning its history and 
habits. Ascertaining by circular of inquiry that his Second Re¬ 
port had a very limited circulation among the farmers of Missouri, 
the article in it on the chinch bug is reproduced in part. , (For 
abstract of such quotations see a previous entry.) 
. Tiie e gg> larval stages, and pupa are described; Say’s descrip¬ 
tion of the imago quoted (supplemented by a short one by Dr. 
LeBaron); and Fitch’s nine varieties are enumerated, to which 
another variety is added. The past history of the insect in Mis¬ 
souri (dating back to 1836) is given quite fully, much informa¬ 
tion having been called out by a circular of inquiry addressed 
to prominent farmers in every county of the State. Ravages of 
1874 reported over wider range of country than previously, ex¬ 
tending south to Texas and Arkansas and east to "Virginia some 
corn in Kentucky, even, being ruined. The total loss in Missouri 
including only the staple crops of wheat, corn, and oats, amounted 
at a low estimate, to $19,000,000. Food plants, the cereals and 
grasses. Has seen young chinch bugs around roots of strawberry 
plants under circumstances indicating that they can feed on this plant. 
Eggs occasionally deposited on blades of the grain, but generally 
on roots of infested plants. Flights noticeable at three periods* 
in early spring, after wheat harvest, and just before seeking win¬ 
ter quarters. Migrate for food on foot. TV here irrigation is im¬ 
practicable, the following preventive measures must' be the chief 
dependence: burning, rolling, invigorating the plant by manure 
mixing seed or protecting one plant by another, preventing migra¬ 
tion by use of coal-tar or furrow kept friable and dusty, winter 
work (burning rubbish and trapping) and combined action, and 
abstaining from cultivation of grains upon which the insect feeds. 
As possible remedial and preventive measures needing further 
trial, there is- mention of the following expedients: the use of 
salt and brine—the former to be sowed with the seed, the latter 
to be poured on the plants; sowing flax with grains—a quart or 
two per acre—as being offensive to the chinch bug; and the sow¬ 
ing with each twelve bushels of winter wheat one bushel winter 
rye, and with spring wheat this proportion of winter wheat. The 
favorable effect reported from the use of salt is attributed to the 
mvigoration of the plant. Reports of injury to stock feeding upon 
corn fodder, badly infested with the bug are no doubt correct. 
(hor recapitulation and matter not noticed here see previous 
entry.) 1 
