Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1910-02-25
How to Fight This Seasons chineh
Bugs Now.

(By S. ]. Hunter, Professor Of Ento-
mology, University Of Kansas.)
The chinch bug, a comparatively
small blackish brown insect, is con-
spicuous on account Of its white
wings and characteristic odor. It
feeds on grains and grasses. 1t does
not devOur the leaves, but pierces
the plant with its we'll adapted beak,
and thereby saps the plant. During
the winter, the adult insect lives in
the protective cover Of overgrown pas
lures, weed patches along the road
sides or in the hedgerows.
This season it has been unusually
abundant at the roots Of the bunch
grass. Cold, freezing weather seems
have little effect on the health and
vigor of the chinch bug. Unless ef-
fective means are used to destroy
them at this time, they will soon
be migrating to the wheat fields there
to deposit their eggs at the roots of
ne growing grains. Each female in
sect deposits from 200 to 800 eggs
and out of these eggs will soon come
minute reddish mite-like creatures.
These soon sap the lives of plants
upon which they feed.
1t should be evident, then, to the
farmer that for every chinch bug Gre
mated now, the possible appearance
of 500 others has been fOrestalled.
The present time is a highly oppor-
soon as the ground and grass be,
come dry enough so that the stalks
will burn close to the ground, fire
should be run over the meadows, roac
ways. and more especially those ad
Joining cOrnfields where the chinch
bug was prevalent last year. To be
most effective, such measures must
/ be general. That is just at this sea
son of the year when the rush OF
farm work has not yet begun, farmer!
should band themselves together by
townships and counties to do this
work. This mode of treatment is oi
greatest importance and should moi
be neglected. In case the farmers
over the area where chinch bugs ex
istai last year do not get all these
sheltering places burned over, the
problem of dealing with them during
the season of growing crops will ther
come up. The insects will then have
to be dealt with in the midst OF tht
growing grain.
There is a well known fungus dis
ease that is commonly supposed K
destroy when artificially introduced
the chinch bugs in great numbers
, The extent to which this mode o
controlling the chinch bug is ef
fectiye Is a proposition worthy OF ser
ious investigation. Upon this subjec
a recent publication from the Kansa'
! State Agricultural College says
whether artificial introduction Of tn
, fungus among the bugs Will, unde
. favorable conditions, materially has
! ten its action, Is a problem that call
! for fundamental investigation" Thi
is an interesting and highly importa1
, question and in order to settle 1t !
possible. the University has detaile'
two men, Professor Glenn Of the Dt
. partment of Entomology, and Profes
q sor Billings of the Department Of Ba
: teriology, to give their undivided tim
:. and attention to an independent an
fundamental research to determin
,, the efficacy of the artificial introdu'
o ton Of this fungus. While they ar
n engaged upon this problem, the I'm
r versity. through its department OF E
. tomOlogy, will. when called upon. c.
operate with the farmers and whe'
O growers through personal ~Irectic
4 and correspondence. This departures
: strongly urges just now the burnin
\ over wherever possible of all place
h where the chinch bug is likely to I
r. spending the winter.
. Farmers who wish to cooperate
= this experimental work will be SCI
9 : fungus infected bugs in return f
: packages Of bugs which they send
to the University. In order that Il
n supply for experimental work may n
q be exhausted, it viii be necessary
u send with each request for fungus
~ ~ goodly supply Of chinch bugs.