–by Jeff Whitworth — Field Crop Entomologist
Chinch bug populations seem to be increasing throughout south central and north central Kansas. Adults are currently very actively feeding, but more importantly, depositing eggs. This has been going on for the last couple of weeks in both corn and sorghum, which are still vulnerable to this chinch bug feeding, especially in later planted sorghum under hot dry conditions. Much sorghum is in the whorl stage or just starting to head out. Chinch bugs are usually difficult to control, but are especially difficult during these growth stages because, for the most part, the chinch bugs are feeding in and around the base of the plants and behind leaf sheaves. Either way they are relatively well protected from insecticides. The younger, tiny chinch bug nymphs are reddish with a white stripe while the older instar nymphs turn gray with a white stripe (see fig). For treatment recommendations please refer to the 2022 KSU Sorghum Insect Management Guide: https://www.bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/pubs/MF742.pdf
