SQUASH— SQUASH DISEASES AND PESTS 



1907 



Common Squash Bug 



Anasa tristis De G. 



Stink bug is a name often applied to 

 this insect, as well as to several closely- 

 related forms, because of their disagree- 

 able odor. 



The squash bug is a sucking insect 

 which feeds solely by extracting the 

 plant juices. Fortunately, the bugs do 

 not emerge from winter quarters until 

 late in spring, and the early planted 

 crops are usually well advanced when 

 feeding commences. 



Squash bugs are commonly present in 

 gardens and fields from early June until 

 late fall, and in addition to their de- 

 structive feeding habits they are charged 

 with being distributing agents for the 

 melon wilt disease, by transferring the 

 wilt bacteria from one plant to another. 



Squash and pumpkin are the favorite 

 food plants, but other cucurbits are fre- 

 quently attacked. Certain varieties of 

 squash are injured more than others. 



Description and Habits 

 Adult Bugs 



Mature squash bugs measure about 

 five-eighths of an inch in length. Their 

 shape is shown in Pig. 1. The color is 

 dirty brownish black above and yellow- 

 ish beneath. The head bears two promi- 

 nent antennae (feelers), projecting for- 

 ward, and a slender jointed beak that lies 

 flat against the body, between the legs, 

 when not in use. These bugs are noc- 

 turnal in habit, hiding under leaves or 

 other shelter during the day. 



Eggs 

 These are quite large, about one-six- 

 teenth inch long, oval in shape, bronzy- 

 brown in color, and are laid at night in 

 irregular rows on the underside of the 

 leaves. Egg clusters contain from a few 

 to 40 or more. They hatch in from eight 

 to 13 days into small, awkward creatures, 

 called nymphs. 



Eemedial Measures 



Ordinary insecticides are of little value 

 against squash bugs. Arsenical poisons 

 are valueless and contact spray mixtures 

 are effective only against the young soft- 



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Fig. 



Tj.ei^.S/x. 



1. Squash Bugs. (a) Common Squash 

 Bug ; (b) Horned Squash Bug. 



bodied nymphs. However, the bugs may 

 be fought quite successfully by some one 

 or more of the following methods: 



Hand Picking 



The first bugs appearing in spring 

 should be collected by hand in order to 

 prevent egg-laying. Later on, both adults 

 and egg masses should be gathered and 

 destroyed, or, if the eggs have hatched, 

 the groups of young nymphs may be 

 easily crushed. To facilitate catching 

 the adult bugs, shingles, large cabbage 

 leaves, or something of the kind, may 

 be laid around the cucurbit plants, as 

 many will take refuge under such shelter 

 during the daytime. Eggs and nymphs 

 will be found on the underside of the 



