The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-09
rwo GREAT AGRICULTURAL PESTS.
A Systematic study Made OF the Chinch
hug and the Hessian Fly.

The two greatest insect pests known
TO the American farmer have been re-
ceiving the careful attention OF the di-
vision Of entomology of the United
States department Of agriculture for a
long time. These are the chinch@bug
and the Hessian fly. The department
has prepared and Is about to publish
two bulletins treating respectively of
the two insects and suggesting possible.
remedies for checking them.
The bulletin on the chinch bug is en-
titled "The Chinch Bug: it's probable
origin and diffusion. its habits and de-
velopment, natural modes and remedial
and preventive measures. with mention
OF the habits of an allied European
species" The bulletin was prepared
under the direction of the entomolo-
gist OF the department, by +. NJ. Web
ster. entomologist Of the Ohio agricul-
turial experiment station. The a%gricuI-
tural department has received many re-
quests for information about the chinch
bug. and the bulletin is intended to
meet this demand. II gives many new
facts concerning the life. history and
distribution Of the species. and the
whole subject OF the practical handling
of its diseases. In order to assist in its
destruction. n treated at length. IL
says hat few insects have caused such
pecuniary losses. and that no other in
sect native to the western hemisphere
has spread its devastating hordes over
a wider area of country with more fatal
effect to the staple grains of North
America. IL is widely distributed over
the world and hibernates In that adult
stage. II is of gregarious habits n
migrates In spring, summer and au-
tumn. When and where IL lays its
eggs. the period of incubation. the diff
ferent stages OF development. the de-
velopment and habits of it's young, an
...l - .Al 81 -la.a 49,
covered by the bulletin. In addition.
IL treats Of the influence of precipita-
tion and temperature on the insect; Its
natural enemies: remedial and proven
tive measures, and describes the true
and false chinch bugs.
The bulletin says that Il would APP
pear that this pest first made its pres
ence known in this country i'm North
Carolina I'm 1888. and mentions several
serious outbreaks of the bug in the
West. The estimated losses from its
ravaPes from 1850 TO 1887 reach $685.
O00, 600. II also says hat II is believed
that the losses up 20 1898 amounted to
fully $3.50. 600, 600. The bulletin contains
nineteen illustrations. including maps,
showing areas infested by the chinch
bug. and the probable course of it's diff
fusion over North America.
The other bulletin Is entitled simply
1.-THE Hessian Fly i'm the United states"
IL was prepare under the direction OF
the departments entomologist by Her
bert Osborn. professor OF zoology and
entomology al the Agricultural college
Of Ames. Ia. n contains many facts
concerning the life history. O habits
and parasitic enemies Of this farm pest.
The bulletin says that the Hessian ny
probably ranks next to the chinch bug
as a farm pest In the United States.
and that its "A I'm other countries
have long been known. II received its
name In the belief that Il had been in
PRODUCED into this country by the He's
sian soldiers during the war Of the
revolution.
An account of its original habitat. its
very wide distribution throughout the
wheat-growing regions Of Europe and
America. ard its means of distribution
are given In the bulletin. with descrip-
tons of the male n female insects,
the eggs. the larval forms and develop
ment. food plants. natural enemies and
remedies. The bulletin also contains n
list Of all the important papers on the
Hessian fly that have appeared In
America. and such Of the foreign works
as are OF value 10 the American stud
emit. IL Is illustrated with a fronts
piece, two plates and eight text figures.