Hairy Chinch Bug

family: lygaeidae
species: blissus leucopterous
common names: chinch bug
antennae characters: 4-5 segments
specialties: triangular scutellum
hosts: corn
notes:

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Insect Identification Sheet No. 85 1983

Hairy Chinch Bug

Blissus leucopterus hirtus Montandon

The hairy chinch bugs and related species are found in the U.S.and southern Canada (from the east coast to the western plains). Since 1971, they have caused severe damage to Ontario lawns, especially in the south of the province. All common turf grasses are susceptible.

Injury:

Chinch bugs suck sap from crowns and stems of turf grasses, causing patches of lawn to turn yellowish brown. These patches grow together and spread as the season progresses.

Life History:

The adults are black with snow-white wings, The wings each have a black spot near the middle of the outer margin. Young nymphs are red with a white band across the back, and become darker as they
age. The adults overwinter in almost any shelter (hedgerows, bushy or grassy fence rows, roadsides, etc.). They remain in shelter until May or June when daily temperatures reach 20 degrees or more.
They then move into the lawn where the females lay about 20 eggs each on lower grass leaves or roots (if the ground is loose). In southern and eastern Ontario, the nymphs first appear in late May, and become adults by mid-July. The insects feed throughout the summer. There may be a second generation.

Control:

The insects can be found in the crowns and taproots when the drying grass is spread or pulled out. Also, you can cut both ends out of a large tin can, force it into the turf and fill it with water; any chinch bugs will float to the surface in a few minutes. Take 10 such samples on a lawn that shows early signs of infestation. Check healthy grass near dead patches as well.

Consult your provincial Department of Agriculture for control recommendations.