Squash bug—Anasa
tristis
Adult squash bugs are 0.63 inch long, grayish or yellowish brown, flatbacked, and somewhat speckled,
often with a dense covering of black hairs. Edges of the abdomen are orange or orange and brown striped.
Nymphs are pale green to almost white.
Life cycle
Damage
Leaves develop small specks that turn yellow and later brown; plants may wilt and die.
Solutions
Remove all debris from the garden once the crop is harvested
by composting or thoroughly discing or rototilling it under.
Handpick adult bugs and nymphs; search for and destroy eggs
in the spring and early summer. Trap bugs under boards near
plants at night and destroy them in the morning. Garden insecticides
are not very effective, especially on larger bugs. Carbaryl
applied to the base of plants just before eggs hatch
and two weeks later may provide some control. Insecticidal
soap or neem oil may
control the smallest nymphs.
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Adults
are found mating in the field
Feeding
causes wilting of some plants
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