Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-29
INSECT FOES OF FARMERS
Dsttr1ctive Operations Of Chinch Bugs
Throughout the West.
WHAT AN INVtS rlGATl0N DlSCL0SeS
Preventive Methods Proposed by the
Department OF Agricuiturc-Su9-
rcstiuns of GREAT Value to
the Country.

department VI
gcstiOns of Great value to
the Country.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-(Correspond-
ence of The Bee.)-Of all the pests in
furious to the grain crops of our country
the chinch bug is generally known as the
most destructive. Its ravages have been TO
such a great extent throughout our grain
growing districts for many years past that
it has caused the most thorough and diligent
experiments on both the farm and in the
laboratory by our scientists toward its eX-
termination. AS a result the United States
Department of Agriculture will soon have
In process of issue a bulletin that will at
tract extraordinary attention and interest
to the grlin-growers of the country. This
publication will treat on the origin and
diffusion of the chinoh bug, its habits and
| development, natural checks and remedies
and preventive measures.
In the history OF this devastating pest
the department has found that it's presence
was first known by its ravages in the wheat
fields OF North Carolina in 1885. In that
year this state was 80 overrun with them as
to threaten a total destruction of the grain.
In the year 1909 the chinch bug again be-
came destructive in that state. In 1899 the
pest spread and devastated the Carolinas and
Virginia and in 1910 there was a similar
outbreak and both wheat and corn were Sc
riously injured.
During the years from 1916 to 1850 the in
sect ravaged over Illinois and portions of
Indiana and Wisconsin and in 1854 and 1856
1t again worked havoc in Northern Illinois.
1t was estimated that the loss to the farm
| ORG of I11inHiu in 1SEn wa, e. nnn nan o . 20
to every man, woman and child living in the
state. In 1863, 1854 and 1865 the insect was
again destructive in Illinois and other west
ern states, its ravages being especially
severe in 1864. During the latter year in
computing the losses throughout many ex-
t~ensive districts, comprising almost the en-
tire northwest, it was estimated that about
80, 900, 900 bushels Of wheat was destroyed,
together with 1888, 900, 900 bushels Of corn,
which aggregated a total value of S73, OOO.-
900.
The Second Raid.
There was a serious outbreak of the
chinch bug In the west again in the year
1868 and again in 1871, but in 1874 the
ravages were both widespread and enor-
nous. The computed loss in 1871 in seven
states, viz, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Ne
braska, Wisconsin and Indiana amounted to
$50, 900, 900. The loss in Missouri alone in
the year 1874 was s19, 600, 900, and added the
statement that for the area covered by the
statisticians' estimates in 1871 the loss in
1874 amounted to almost double, or upward
Of $50, 900, 900. The estimated loss of the
whole country for the same year was over
800, 900, 900.
The next serious outbreak of chinch bugs
occurred In 1887. and covered more or less
territory in the states of Kentucky, Ohio, In
diana, Illinois. Wisconsin. Minnesota. Iowa,
Missouri and Kansas. In this case the
United States statistician estimated the dam
age at $50, 900, 900. the heaviest losses oc-
curing in Illinois. Iowa. Missouri and Kan
sas. This gives us as the estimated loss in
the thirty-eight years. 1850 to 1887, both in
elusive. the enormous sum of $267. 900, 900.
Another serious outbreak occurred in Kan
sas, Iowa. Minnesota and Illinois. having its
beginning probably as early as 1882, but
reaching its maximum severity. as in Ohio,
In 1896. The loss in Ohio during the years
1894, 1895, 1896, and 1897, was close to
81, ZOO, 600. The losses occasioned in other
states referred to were not definitely COM
puted, but being very severe must have
amounted to millions OF dollars. If the de-
partment had careful estimates of the loss
'''iho tho Pool SNt years IL WUulu prop
ably swell the amount to fully 1890, OOO, 900
for the period from 1850 to 1898.
When it is taken into consideration that
the financial losses as above estimated have
not fallen upon the entire nation. but al
most without exception upon the nine states
previously named. it will be seen that this
diminutive insect constitutes a formidable
enemy to the agriculturists of these states.
In fact, small as it is. this pest has cost
the people of these states a sum of money
sufficient to defray the entire expenses of the
national government for a whole year. Fire
excepted, there is no other element that has
caused such an enormous financial loss with
in the same period over the same area OF
country.
No other insect native to the western hem
isphere has spread it's devastating hordes
over a wider area Of country with more
fatal effects to the staple grains of North
America than has the chinch bug. But for
the extreme susceptibility Of the very young
to destruction by drenching rains and to the
less though not Insignificant destructiveness
during rainy seasons OF the parasitic fungus
on both the adults and young, the practice
Of raising grain year after year on the
same areas, as followed in the United States,
would be altogether Improbable. Some OF
this insects own habits, also emphasizing as
they do the effects OF meteorological condi-
tions, are the most potent influences thai
serve to hold 1t within bounds, by giving its
tendency to excessive increase a decidedly
spasmodic character.
Habits Of the bug.
This species Is widely distributed over the
world, but are more numerous and disas'
trous in their work In America than else
where. In making a study Of their lives ant
habits it Is found that the bug in autumn
seeks the dense stools OF wild grasses, the
rubbish of hedges, wind breaks, corn fodder
logs and numerous other places, where !
hibernates. Early in the spring they de
post their eggs, after which the adults die
Later on, during May and June, the youn.
| hatch and at once commence to migrate Il
cultivated fields, where they sweep across
; the areas like walls OF fire, destroying every
|, thing within their course. 1t has been Oh
> served by the scientists that chinch bug,
have commenced their operations along on
side and worked part way across fields, kill
ing the grain as they advanced, and con
tinued their depredations the following yea
precisely where they suspended work the au
A- nI.-