Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1899-02-03
NUMBER 5.
TWO GREAT PESTS.
rhe Agricultural Departments Stuuy
of the Cbinch puE nnd
Hessian Fly.


Hessian Fly.
The two greatest insect pests known
20 the American farmer have been re-
ceiving the careful attention of the di-
vision of entomology of the United
States department of agriculture for
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 posi-
bic remedies for checking them.
The bulletin on the chinch bug is en-
titled 1.-The Chinch Bug; its 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 spe-
cies." The bulletin was prepared under
the direction of the entomologist OF
he denartment, +. NJ. Webster, ento-
mologist of the ONO ugri~s.itarnl ex-
pertinent station. The agricultural de-
partment has received many requests
for information about the chinch bug,
and the bulletin is intended 20 meet
this demand. 1t gives many new facts
concerning the life, history and dis
tribution of the species, and the whole
subject of the practical handling of its
diseases, in order TO assist in its de-
struction, is treated at length. II says
that few insects have caused such pc
cuniary losses, and that no other insect
native TO the western hemisphere has
spread its devastating hordes over II
wider area of country with more fatal
effect to the staple grains of North
America. 1t is widely distributed over
the world and hibernates in the adult
stage. 1t is of gregarious habits and
migrates in spring, summer and au-
tumn. When and where it lays its eggs.
the period of incubation, the different
stages of development, the development
and habits of its young, annual genera
tons and food plants, are covered b.
the bulletin. In addition, il treats of
the influence of precipitation and tenn
perature on the insect; its natural enc
mics; remedial and preventive meas
ures, and describes the true and false
chinch bugs.
The bulletin says that it would APP
pear that this pest first made its pres
ence known in this country in North
Carolina in 1883, and mentions several
serious outbreaks Of the bug in the
west. The estimated losses from its
ravages from 1850 TO 1887 reach $780,
100000. 1t also says that it is believed
that the losses up 10 1898 amounted to
fully $3.50, 100000. The bulletin con-
tains 10 illustrations, including maps,
showing areas infested by the chinch
bug, and the probable course of its diff
fusion over North America.
The other bulletin is entitled simply,
The Hessian Fly in the United States
| 1t was prepared under the dlrectlon
of the departments entomologist by
Herbert Osborn, professor OF zoology
and entomology at the Agricultural col
lege of Ames, Ia, and contains many
facts concerning the life, history, food
habits and parasitic enemies of this
farm pest The bulletin says that the
Hessian fly probably ranks next to the
chinch bug as the farm pest in the
United States, and that its ravages in
ether countries have long been known
| 1t received its name in the belief that
| it had been introduced into this country
by the Hessian soldiers during the war
of the revolution.
An account of its original habitat,
It's very wide distribution throughout
the wheat growing districts of Europe
| and America, and its means of distribu-
ton are given in the bulletin, with de-
| scriptions of the male and female in
scots, the eggs, the larval form and de-
yelopment, food plants, natural enemies
| and remedies. The bulletin also con-
tains list Of all the important papers
on the Hessian fly that have appeared
In America, and such of the foreign
works ms are of value to the American
student. 1t is illustrated with frontis-
piece, two plates and eight text figures.
N. y. Sun.