Squash bug (Hemiptera: Coreidae): Biology and management in cucurbitaceous crops

Abstract

The squash bug, Anasa tristis (DeGeer), is an endemic species of the Americas that feeds on plants in the family Cucurbitaceae. The pest is particularly abundant and damaging on plants in the genus Cucurbita (i.e., zucchini, summer squash, and pumpkins). Squash bug has become problematic in recent years due to changes in insecticide use strategies by conventional growers, dramatic increases in organic vegetable production, and increasing incidences of cucurbit yellow vine disease, a phloem-clogging bacterial disease transmitted by the bug. A review of insect biology, description of life stages, host plants, damage, and management options for squash bug is presented.