The squash bug is scientifically called Anasa tristis, a true bug in the family Coreidae. Squash Bug is a pest of the Cucurbit family, including squashes and pumpkins besides watermelons, sweet melon, cucumber, and cantaloupe. Squash bug sucks the sap from the plant tissues and physically damages the xylem and top foliage of the cucurbit plants, and causes them to wilt and die. Squash bug also survives on many other plant species and cultivars. But, its survival ratio is usually higher on squashes and pumpkins. The greater the infestation, the heavier is the production loss, which renders the loss to the home and commercial growers. Squash bug is present throughout the world in cucurbits growing areas But, it causes more production losses in Central America, the US, and Southern Canada.
Squash bug is endemic and native to North America, and its association with cucurbits devours a long history in the US. It is considered a serious pest in squashes and pumpkins and has been under study since 1899 in the US. Squash bugs invade and damage the plants in the Cucurbitaceae family. But, pumpkins and squashes are prone to their infestation throughout the home gardens and commercial growing facilities in North America. Squash bugs can be prevalent in all other plants in the gourd family. But, their damages are not as severe as they do to the squashes.
Squash bugs closely resemble sting bugs as they release an odor when disturbed. But sting bugs are not prevalent on squash and other cucurbit plants. Squash bug is 5/8th of an inch in length. Adult squash bugs have a flat dorsal, winged, and they're grayish-brown. Squash bug has orange-brown stripes on the undersides of the body and the edges of the abdomen. Eggs are laid in clusters of 20 to 40 on the undersides of the leaves, and color varies from brick red to bronze. The eggs are 1/16th inch long that can be seen in the spring. Nymph is wingless, spiderlike, and covered with white dust. Nymph size is 1/2 of an inch at maximum, and they're black-legged and color varying from spotted white to greenish-gray. Nymphs resemble adults when they turn dark brown near maturity. Molting increases their body size, and they become adults in 6 weeks depending on the surface temperature and availability of feeding resources.
Squash bug feeds on summer and winter squash crops, besides the second most attractive host being the pumpkins in gardens and commercial farming setups. The nymphs and adults infest the area surrounding the canopy and are present on the undersides of the leaves. When disturbed, they quit instantly besides releasing an odor. Squash bugs overwinter under the plant debris, wood, soil clods, and organic litter, and emerge in the spring. They fly from their sheltered habitats and find the nearest cucurbit plants where they feed for some days. They mate and lay eggs on the undersides of the leaves. There are about five nymph stages, and the adult bugs can live for 3 or 4 months depending on the availability of a feeding source. The entire lifecycle completes in about 6 to 8-weeks. Eggs hatching occurs in 7 to 10-days, and this generation of overwinters again lays eggs in the coming spring.
The squash bugs cause severe damage to squash and pumpkin plants. Formerly, it was considered that they secrete noxious spittle into the plant tissues But, now it is believed they inject a bacterium into the plant tissues that causes Cucurbit Yellow Vine Disease (CYVD). As a result, the foliage of the squash and pumpkin plants that receive Serratia marcescens bacterium, wilt and die after turning darker than the usual stuff. This injection remains infrequent in different plants, and wilting signs may appear on a squash plant partially or wholly. If the squash bugs infestation becomes higher, lodging can occur in the entire crop. The extent of the damage remains directly proportional to the concentration of the bugs. CYVD is comparatively a new disorder in squash plants, and the bugs can retain the causal organism within their bodies while overwintering.
The squash bugs appear in the spring, and they're unmated bugs that initially feed on the squash plant in your garden, mate, and lay eggs in clusters on the undersides of the leaves. They can have one generation per year in the northern climate. Whereas, the southern side allows them to produce three or four generations.
Besides following all preventions and cultural control practices if squash bug damage remains prevalent on cucurbits, here are the most proven ways to suppress their population using the biological, organic, and chemical methodologies;
Thuricide Bt contains 98.35% of Bacillus thuringiensis’s subspecies Kurstaki with at least 6 million active spores per milligram of the product concentrate. Bacillus thuringiensis is a soil living, gram-positive bacterium that exists naturally on plant surfaces, aquatic environments, animal feces, and cereal grains storage. It is also found in the gut of many moths and butterflies. When applied to kill insects, Bacillus thuringiensis produces delta endotoxins that act as insecticides. Delta- endotoxins adhere to the epithelial lining in the midgut of the targeted pests. It ruptures epithelial lining and punches holes leading to insect pests killing, including the squash bugs. Thuricide is OMRI- listed and possesses no effects on humans and the environment.
Add 2 to 4 teaspoons of Thuricide per gallon of water and apply during nymph stages in the spring.
This concentrate contains 80% Neem oil extracted by cold-pressing technique But, it is not refined. It may have a higher percentage of Azadirachtin which possesses a diversified mode of action against insects, funguses, and mites, besides being an excellent Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) and a strong feeding deterrent. Additionally, research also proves its ovicidal characteristics in the recent findings. Neem Oil can effectively control all stages of squash bugs, provided it sprays deep into the crown of the squash and pumpkin vines. The best application time remains early morning and the late afternoon. Product applications in the midday can suppress growth or turn the foliage slightly yellowish. Never apply Neem oil or another insecticide on physically weak or stressed plants.
Add 0.65 to 0.75 ounces of the product concentrate per gallon of water and work deep into the squash and pumpkin crowns.
Earth’s Ally- Insect Control is a mixture of Rosemary, Clove, and Peppermint oils in a ratio of 0.50, 0.03, and 0.02%, respectively. These ingredients derive from botanical sources and possess proven insecticidal properties besides being an acaricide and a strong feeding deterrent. The product can use in an edible garden irrespective of the types of vegetables and vines growing there. Moreover, it uses to the day of the harvest without leaving harsh effects on the humans. The product is also tested safe for the bees.
This product is available in both ready-to-use and concentrated formulations. Add about 6-1/2 ounces per gallon of water if a concentrated product arrives in your garden. Otherwise, target the squash foliage directly if it was a 24-ounce pack.
Garden Safe- Insecticidal Soap comes in a ready-to-use formulation that contains 1% Potassium salt of Fatty Acids. The potassium salt of Fatty Acids dissolves the fatty acids in the insects' cuticle. Insect cuticle is the outer skin and dissolving acids leads to their dehydration. The potassium salt of Fatty Acids is safe to use on garden plants during all growth stages and considered safe for organic gardening. Moreover, these salts are safe for the environment, and the risk of residue accumulation is zero.
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RTU products don't require mixing water. Search squash bugs and pull the trigger to direct the mist on the body.
Eight Insect Control contains 2.5% Permethrin which acts on the nervous systems of squash bugs and other garden pests. Permethrin also interferes with the sodium channels that disrupt the function of neurons causing muscle spasms in insects. It leads to paralysis and death ultimately. Permethrin is effective both through ingestion and contact. Permethrin is systemic parathyroid with long residual effects on edibles use according to the label directions.
Add 2 ounces of concentrate per gallon of water and apply a mist sprayer on squash foliage.
Due to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authorities should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used lawfully, consistent with the product's label.
Check out our other guides on common garden bugs.
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