ALERT! Squash Bugs in the Garden!

Almost all of the squash vines (zucchini and others) in the Garden have Squash Bug (Anasa tristis) eggs deposited under some of the leaves.  For those growing melons this year, please check for infestation.  The eggs are laid on the underside of the leaves and look like this:  

Squash Bug eggs deposited on squash plant leaf.

From Cornell:
The squash bug sucks sap from the leaves and stems of squash and pumpkins and causes the leaves to wilt and then turn black and crisp. This insect can also feed directly on the fruit and cause severe damage. The adults are dark gray and about 5/8 inch in length. They live through the winter in protected areas both under debris in the fields and in buildings and lay eggs on the underside of leaves in the spring and summer. The eggs hatch into light green or gray nymphs that congregate on leaves or fruit.

Cultural Control:

1. During the summer, adults tend to congregate under shelter at night. Place boards on the soil surface near the squash in the evening and the next morning collect and destroy the pest.
2. Destroy egg masses on the underside of leaves.
3. Knock adults and nymphs off leaves and into a bucket of soapy water.
4. A parasitic fly, Trichopoda pennipes, affects adult squash bugs and several wasps parastize the eggs. Provide habitat for these in or near the field.
5. Avoid leaving cucurbit crop debris available for over-wintering sites 

If you see this insect in the Garden, welcome her with open arms! 

Trichopoda pennipes, enemy of the Squash Bug