Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1894-11-01
ARE THEY HARMFUL?
Myriads of Strange South AM
erican Insects Invading
the State.
Sisters Enormously Charged
with Coal Thefts-Stock
Shipments.

peared in this locality in large numbers
this fall, and has been the source OF much
speculation as to its name, character and
habits. It has been seen for many weeks
past, and still is met Wlth-on trees,
walks, in stores, Offices, bones. barber
shops and hotels. What 1t Is, where it
came from and where it will 60 has puz-
zled many.
Recently specimens of the live insects
we're sent to Prof. Waldron of the state
experimental station at Fargo for his ex-
animation, and the information received
is that the strange insect visitors belong
to the hemiptera, or true buge, this par
ticular species being Lygens turcicus.
1T is very closely allied to the chinch
bug, which belongs to another, though
closely allied genus" says the professor.
Il think these insects came originally
from South America, where most of their
allies live, though on this point I am not
quite sure"
The insects were first noticed in this
portion of the state about the middle of
August, at Spiritwood lake. The bugs
| were seen in all stages of growth-from
the relocated young to the black
| winged adults-hanging 10 clusters from
the limbs, and large numbers on the
| trunks, Of the trees. The next instance
| known of their presence was on Sept. 20,
when VIM. Gross found thousands of
the wingless young in the timber at the
junction of the Pipestem and James riv-
ers, in this city. Nearly dozen patches
of the young, varying from four or five
feet to sixty feet in diameter. we're dis
covered The wingless larvae, crimson IN
color, were several deep, and formed a
wrlthing mass. A few fully developed
bugs we're noticed among the young.
These patches were found on ground
elevated from five to eight feet above the
river. One patch was on the river bank
and reached nearly to the waters edge.
Thousands were seen on the brush, logs,
VAooS nuO S1Ouce Auo AuecCIes Will = III
the larval state. remained in this locality
for about two weeks, and then suddenly
disappeared.
The adult bug, which Is of the
lower order OF insects the princi-
pal changes undergone in growth
being increase 10 size and develop
ment of wings, is little less than
half An inch il length, dull black in
color with small red markings, and has
four wings. The first pair are lesthery
at the base and membrarous at the tips.
Its mouth parts consist Of single suck
ing tube, so that it's living is obtained
entirely by sucking. Specimens have
been watched in hopes to see the process
Of feeding, but it is not yet discovered
how it sustains life, especially at this
time OF year. The bug has six legs and
two long antenna. The young are
similar to the adults except that they
are wingless, and are Of a bright crimson
color. With the growth of wings dark
markings appear on the body.
This Is the first time, so far as knowD,
that these insects have made their ap.
pearance in the state and fears are enter.
tanned that they are the precursors OF
the genuine chinch bug. 1t is hoped,
| however, that with further investigation
the character and habits Of the bug may
| be definitely ascertained and It's harm.
| lessnees established.