Chinch Bugs

Description

The Chinch Bug is about 1/5 inch in length, it hibernates only in the adult stage; they hide away in almost any kind of winter shelter under trees and shrubs, under hedges, on the edges of lawns, even the underground nests of field Mice.

Chinch Bugs have been an agricultural pest for over 150 years, causing serious losses to small grains and corn. They feed only on plants belonging to the grass family. Chinch Bugs occur throughout most of North and Central America.

Two forms of Chinch Bug may be encountered, but the form most likely to be encountered in the North Eastern part of the continent is the Hairy Chinch Bug (Blissus leucopterus hirtus); it feeds mainly on grasses, becoming a major pest in lawns and greens.

When the temperature rises above 70F for a few hours, they come out of hiding and take flight. Chinch Bugs mate repeatedly, about 200 eggs are laid over a period of 3 or 4 weeks. The eggs hatch out into small, active reddish bugs, becoming darker as they grow older. They generally reach maturity in about 4 to 6 weeks. Adult Chinch Bugs have a characteristic white band across the abdomen which becomes covered by their wing buds as they become larger.

Damage

Chinch Bugs have piercing mouthparts and suck the sap from the stems and crowns of turf grasses. The dead areas become brown, irregular sunken patches, coalescing into larger dead areas as damage increases. Weeds can then invade these dead areas.

All common species of turf grasses in Ontario appear to be susceptible to Chinch Bug damage.

In most of Ontario severe damage is not usually noticed until August, light damage appears usually in mid July.

If a lawn is suspected of Chinch Bug infestation, it may be checked by controlled flooding of small areas; the Chinch Bugs will float to the surface of the water. On a lawn with light damage, several areas should be investigated. If any Chinch Bugs are found treatment should be initiated.

Chinch Bugs tend to avoid light, crawling into the surface of the soil and hiding under thatch. Good penetration of the insecticide is essential for effective control.