Chinch Bug - Blissus leucopterus leucopterus (Say)

Dr. Randy Hudson, Extension Entomologist, The University of Georgia, Department of Entomology, Tifton, GA 31793
Dr. David Adams, Extension Entomologist, The University of Georgia, Department of Entomology, Tifton, GA 31793

Description: Chinch bugs are small insects with sucking mouthparts. Adults appear black with clear or silver wings. Nymphs vary in color as they mature. First instar nymphs will appear orange in color. As the nymphs mature, they progressively become darker in color with distinctive white stripes appearing across their upper surface. Hosts: Corn, sorghum, millets, wheat, barley and lawn grasses.

Chinch bug adult Photo by: Beverly Sparks, UGA

Damage: Chinch bugs feed by piercing the plant and sucking out the plant juices. Chinch bugs are often considered soil insects due to the location of their injury which is at or just below soil level. Damaged plant tissue will often rot due to secondary injury from digestive enzymes and pathogens that are present during feeding. Damaged plants will often express a host of nutritional maladies. Stunted, yellow, wilting, and dying plants are all symptoms of chinch bug injury. Damaging populations of chinch bugs that develop in grain and forage systems are nearly impossible to control. Conservation tillage systems enhance chinch bug problems in grains. Chinch bugs are typically more of a problem in dry years.

Life Cycle: Chinch bugs overwinter as adults. Adults emerge in the spring, mate and lay eggs at the base of developing grass or grain crops. First spring generation develops on wheat and other winter grain crops. Most infestations in agronomic systems occur as chinch bugs migrate from winter grains into summer grass crops. There are six developmental life stages from egg to adult. It is believed there are 2-3 generations per year.

Control: Treat for chinch bugs in grains when numerous chinch bugs are present and conditions are favorable for continued development. There are no labeled pesticides for chinch bug control in grain millets.

In: Roberts, P. M. and G. K. Douce, Coordinators. 1999. Sucking Insects. A County Agent's Guide to Insects Important to Agriculture in Georgia. Univ. of GA, Col. Ag. Env. Sci., Coop. Ext. Serv., Tifton, GA USA. Winter School Top Fifty Agricultural Insect Pests and Their Damage Sessions, Rock Eagle 4-H Ctr., Jan. 20, 1999.

Selected References and Suggested Readings