Report on the Noxious and Beneficial Insects of the State of Illinois Volume 1-5 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 Excerpt: ... rise above it and come to maturity. This suggestion is founded upon the mistaken notion that Chinch-bugs feed upon the green blades of the grain, whereas they imbibe their nutriment, first from the roots, and afterwards from the lower joints of the stalk. The well attested fact that Chinch-bugs are checked in their operations by rain, induced Dr. Fitch to advise the sprinkling of wheat fields--or at least those parts of them where the bugs first make their appearance--with water, by means of a garden engine, or some other contrivance. This would be an interesting experiment where the field is very small and the supply of water abundant; but we presume the Doctor would hardly recommend this plan as practicable on the forty thousand square miles of territory overrun this year by Chinch-bugs, at the West. All attempts to check the depredations of Chinch-bugs, by throwing offensive substances upon them, such as tarred saw-dust, salt or lime, have proved to be labor lost. The recommendation of the salt application had the run of the newspapers the past season. Both this and the air-slaked lime were thoroughly tried by Mr. Sells, of Bloomington, without making any perceptible impression upon the bugs. DESTRUCTION OF CHINCH-BUGS BY NATURAL AGENCIES. This article would be incomplete without a brief reference to those natural agencies by which this destructive insect is kept in check. Unlike many of our noxious insects, such as the Plum-curculio and the Codling moth, which are permanent fixtures, the Chinch-bug seems to be subject to an irregular kind of periodicity, the causes of which are not fully understood. We have stated above that we have no reason to expect any efficient aid in the extermination of Chinch-bugs from their natural enemies. It is far otherwise...