Squash Bugs vs. Stink Bugs: Why Your Zucchini Is Dying
Zucchini leaves wilting overnight? It's likely Squash Bugs. Learn to spot their bronze eggs and stop them before they kill your harvest.
Every summer, I get calls from gardeners crying about their zucchini. "The plant was huge yesterday, and today it's completely wilted and dead!"
They usually blame Stink Bugs. It's almost always Squash Bugs.
These guys are the silent assassins of the vegetable garden. They look similar to Stink Bugs (grey/brown, shield shape), but they are longer and narrower.
The "Bronze Egg" Giveaway
Flip over the leaves of your squash or pumpkin plants. If you see clusters of shiny, metallic bronze eggs... you are in trouble. Those are Squash Bug eggs.
When they hatch, the nymphs suck the sap out of the plant stems. They inject a toxic saliva that causes "Anasa Wilt." The leaves turn black and crispy overnight. It looks like you forgot to water them, but actually, the plant's vascular system just collapsed.
Why Sprays Don't Work
Squash bugs are tough. They hide deep near the crown of the plant where sprays can't reach. Plus, the adults have hard armor.
The Only Real Fix
- Hand Picking: Gross, I know. But you have to go out in the morning, pick the adults off, and drop them in a bucket of soapy water.
- Duct Tape: Take a piece of duct tape and stick it to the underside of the leaves to rip the eggs off. It's faster than scraping them.
- Clean Up in Fall: They hibernate in old garden debris. If you leave dead vines on the ground in winter, they will be back next year.