1. Insect
  2. Vegetable Crops
  3. Vegetable Crops
  4. Hosts and Pests of Vegetable Crops

Pumpkin and squash-Squash bug

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Image related to Pumpkin and squash-Squash bug
Squash bug
Anasa tristis DeGeer
Egg(s) on host
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Pumpkin and squash-Squash bug
Squash bug
Anasa tristis De Geer
Immature
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection
Image related to Pumpkin and squash-Squash bug
Squash bug
Anasa tristis DeGeer
Adult
© Ken Gray Insect Image Collection

Anasa tristis

Pest description, crop damage and life history

See:

Common Pests of Vegetable Crops

Pest description and crop damage The adult squash bug is flat-backed, brownish black, and measures about 0.62 inch long. Older nymphs are grayish white with black legs and antennae. Nymphs range from 0.19 to 0.5 inch long. Squash bugs feed primarily on squash and pumpkin. Adults and nymphs suck plant sap from the leaves and stems, causing wilting and death. Damage tends to be localized.

Biology and life history Squash bugs overwinter in protected places as unmated adults. They appear rather slowly in the spring. Adults mate and begin laying clusters of eggs about the time the squash vines begin to spread. Eggs are laid in clusters of a dozen or more on the leaves. They hatch in about 10 days into nymphs. Nymphs go through five molts before becoming adults in 4 to 6 weeks. There is only one generation per year.

Management-cultural control

Early plantings are more susceptible to damage. Squash bugs tend to aggregate in sheltered locations, such as under mulches and in weeds. Clean cultivation is advised. Removal of crop debris in a timely manner is important.

Management-chemical control: HOME USE

  • acetamiprid
  • azadirachtin (neem oil)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • bifenthrin (sually as a mix with zeta-cypermethrin).
  • carbaryl
  • cyfluthrin
  • esfenvalerate
  • kaolin-Applied as a spray to foliage, it acts as a repellent to some insect pests. Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • permethrin
  • pyrethrins-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic use.
  • zeta-cypermethrin

Note: Pesticides can injure cucurbits. Be sure foliage is dry at the time of application.

Management-chemical control: COMMERCIAL USE

Apply dust around base of the plant. Avoid dusting foliage if possible.

  • acetamiprid (Assail 30SG) 0.1 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 5 applications or 0.5 lb ai/a per season.
  • alpha-cypermethrin (Fastac EC) at 0.0175 to 0.025 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.075 lb ai/a per season.
  • bifenthrin (Brigade WSB) at 0.05 to 0.1 lb ai/a. PHI 3 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.3 lb ai/a per season. Do not apply more than twice after bloom. Allow at least 7 days between applications.
  • bifenthrin/avermectin (Athena) at 0.05 to 0.12 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.056 lb ai/a avermectin or 0.3 lb ai/a bifenthrin per season.
  • carbaryl (Sevin 4F) at 1 lb ai/a. PHI 3 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Limit 6 treatments per year. Do not exceed 6 lb ai/a per season.
  • chlorantraniliprole/lambda-cyhalothrin (Voliam Xpress) at 0.059 to 0.088 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed or 0.18 lb ai of lambda-cyhalothrin or 0.2 lb ai of chlorantraniliprole per acre per growing season.
  • clothianidin (Belay) at 0.05 to 0.067 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days.REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 10 days. Do not exceed 0.2 lb ai/a per season.
  • cyclaniliprole (Harvanta 50SL) at 0.036 to 0.054 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 4 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.22 lb ai/a per year. Suppression.
  • dinotefuran (Scorpion 35SL) at 0.05 to 0.18 lb ai/a foliar or 0.23 to 0.27 lb ai/a for soil. PHI 1 days foliar, or 21 days for soil. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.266 lb ai/a foliar or 0.532 lb ai/a for soil per season.
  • esfenvalerate (Asana XL) at 0.03 to 0.05 lb ai/a. PHI 3 days. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.25 lb ai/a per season.
  • flupyradifurone (Sivanto 200SL) at 0.14 to 0.18 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 4 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 0.365 lb ai/a per season.
  • lambda-cyhalothrin (Warrior II) at 0.02 to 0.03 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.18 lb ai/a per year.
  • lambda-cyhalothrin/thiamethoxam (Endigo ZC) at 0.064 to 0.072 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 5 days. Do not exceed 0.18 lb ai/a of lambda-cyhalothrin or 0.172 lb ai/a of thiamethoxam per season.
  • novaluron (Rimon 0.83EC) at 0.078 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 14 days. Do not exceed 0.23 lb ai/a per season.
  • permethrin (Permethrin) at 0.2 lb ai/a. PHI 0 days. REI 12 hr. Retreatment interval 7 days. Do not exceed 1.2 lb ai/a per season.
  • tebuconazole/lambda cyhalothrin (Crossover) at 0.14 to 0.16 lb ai/a. PHI 7 days. REI 24 hr. Retreatment interval 10 days. Do not exceed 0.48 lb ai/a tebuconazole and 0.18 lb ai/a lambda cyhalothrin.
  • zeta-cypermethrin (Mustang) at 0.035 to 0.05 lb ai/a. PHI 1 day. REI 12 hr. Do not exceed 0.3 lb ai/a per year.

Note: Pesticides may injure cucurbits. The possibility of injury is less when foliage is dry at time of application.