Extension
Date of this Version
1986
Abstract
The life cycle and control of the chinch bug is discussed, with descriptions of possible management options.
The chinch bug is a native North American insect that can destroy cultivated grass crops, especially sorghum and corn, and occasionally small grains, such as wheat and barley. Broad-leaved plants are immune to feeding damage. Crop damage from this insect is most often found in southeast Nebraska and northeast Kansas and is associated with dry weather, especially in the spring and early summer months. Chinch bugs have few effective natural enemies. Ladybird beetles and other common insect predators found in Nebraska prefer to feed on other insects rather than on chinch bugs. Although chinch bugs can be difficult to control, many farmers have satisfactorily protected their crops with an integrated program of careful crop management and insecticide application.
Comments
© 1986, The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska on behalf of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension. All rights reserved.