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Be on the lookout for squash bugs!
[July 03, 2025]
The squash bug is the main pest
of pumpkins in Illinois. Squash bugs overwinter as adults and move
into pumpkin plantings in June (southern IL) and July (northern IL).
They prefer squash and pumpkins compared to cucumbers and melons. In
southern Illinois, two generations develop in many years. Adults lay
reddish-brown to bronze eggs in small groups on leaves, and those
eggs hatch in 7 to 10 days. Immature stages (nymphs) go through 5
stages that take 5 to 6 weeks.
The key to controlling squash bugs is to detect their presence early
and act immediately. Growers are advised to scout for egg masses
(clusters), use a threshold of 1 egg mass per plant, and apply
insecticides for squash bug control as soon as nymphs hatch and
begin feeding. Scouting for squash bugs should be occurring now.
Adults have been seen in central Illinois.
The registered insecticides most effective for squash bug control
are CaptureŽ and BrigadeŽ. Other insecticides that provide some
control include AsanaŽ and PounceŽ, but if growers rely on these
insecticides, it is imperative that they make applications when
nymphs are small as most insecticides are not effective against
large nymphs or adults. Natural pyrethrin will give some control for
organic growers, but as noted above, application when nymphs are
very small is key to any success. Mechanical removal of eggs may be
useful for small scale organic growers.
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Biological control
may be a promising tool for squash bug control, but not much
research has been done on this. Our lab would like to screen
squash bug eggs for possible parasitism. If you are growing
cucurbits and would like to participate, contact Kacie Athey (kathey@illinois.edu
, 217-244-9916). We will be asking people to let us know when
they find egg masses and either collect them, or we will come
and collect them.
[Kacie Athey,
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of
Illinois]
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