The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1899-02-02
> Two Great Agricultural Pests.

The two greatest insect pests known
70 the American farmer have been re-
ceiying the careful attention of the
Division Of Entomology If the United
States Department OF Ag iculture for
q lorg time. These are tie chineh bug
aud the Hessian ily. The department
has prepared and is ab ut to publish
two bulletins ireatinz respectively of
the two insects and suggesting possi-
bic remedies for checking them.
The bulletin on the cninch bug is en-
titled "The Chinch Bug; its probable
origin and diffusion, itsshabits and de-
ve,opment: natural modes andremedial
aud preventive measures, with men
ton of the habits OF allied European
Species" The bulletin was prepared
under the direction Of the entomolo-
gist Of the department, by F. n.
Webster, entomologist Of the Ohio
Agricultural Experiment Station. The
Agricultural Department hes received
many requests for information about
the chinch bug, and the bulletin ISM
tended to meet this demand. It 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, is treated at
length. It says that few insects lave
caused such pecuniary losses, ard that
no other insect native to the Western
Hemisphere has spread its devastating
locdes over wider area Of country
with more fatal effect to the staple
grains of North America. tits widely
distributed over the world and hiber-
mates in ile adult stage. It is OF gre
sarious k:hits ana migrates in spring,
summer anI autumn. When and where
ii lays its egys, the period OF incaba-
ton, the different stages @: develop.
ment, the development ana habits OF
its young, annual generations and food
plants, are covered,by the bulletin. In
addition, it treats Of the influence of
precipitation and temperature Oh the
insect; its natura! enemies, remedial
and preventive measures and describes
the true and false chirch bugs.
The bulletin says that 1t would ap-
pear that this pest first made its pres
e1ce known in this country in North
Caroiinsssin 1888, and mentions several
serious outbreaks OF the bug in the
West. The estimated losses from its
ra7ages from 1850 to 1887 reach S2G7,.
100000. It also says that it is be-
lieved that the losses mp to 1898
amounted to fully $3.50, 900, 900. The
bulletin contains nineteen illnstra-
hons, including maps, showing areas
infested by the chirch bug, and the
probable course Of its diffusion over
North America.
Tie other bulletin is entitled simply
The Hessian Fly in the United
States" 1t was prepared under the
direction OF the departments entomo-
iogist by Herbert Osborn, Professor of
Zoology and Entomology at the Agrl-
cultural College Of Ames. lowe, and
contains many facts concerning the life
history. food habits and parasitic ene-
mics Of this farm pest. The bulletin
says that the Hessian fly probably
ranks next to the chincl bug as q farm
pest in the United States, and that its
ravases in other countries have long
been known. Il received its name IN
the belief that It had been introduced
into, this country by tie Hessian sol
diars during the war OF the Revolu-
ton.
An account Of its original habitas,
its very wias distribution throughout
the wheat-growing regions of Europe
and America, and its means Of distri-
tuition are given in the bulletin. with
descriptions of the male and female in.
seets. the eggs. the lsrva! forms and
development. food plants, natural enc.
n:ies and remedies. The bulletin also
contains list Of al the important
,tners on the Hessian fly that have
:,preared IN america. and each Of the
!..reiga works are Of value to the
.,.:.!.ricam Stu2rlr. II is illustrated
-. - .r.:M:iSniect. Two plates and
.,a:.t l=x: .:4ure:. New YORK Sun.
cot,e- tees produce MP TO the age
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