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Squash Bug damage
(John Obermeyer, Purdue University) |
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Common Name: Squash Bug - damage
See also: adult | larva Scientific Name: Hemiptera: Anasa tristis Status: pest of vegetable crops Damaging Stage: nymph and adult Injury: Squash bug adults and nymphs attack all cucurbit vine crops, particularly squash, pumpkin, cucumber, and melon. The nymphs pierce vines with needlelike mouthparts, then inject a toxic substance into the plant. Disease can cause the plant to yellow, wilt, and die. Action Threshold: Diseases spread by squash bugs can result in severe yield loss. If plants show wilting early in the growing season, chemical control of squash bugs may be required. In most cases however, squash bug populations rarely require chemical control methods. Management: Adults and nymphs can be knocked off plants into buckets of soapy water during a light infestation. Insecticides are usually not required for squash bug populations. |