Insect · GBIF taxon 2050085
Squash Bug
Anasa tristisAlso known as Pumpkin Bug, Squash Stink Bug
Squash bugs aggregate under dense foliage where they pierce stems and leaves to drink sap from cucurbits like pumpkins and squash. Adults overwinter beneath garden leaf litter or crop residue before emerging in late spring to deposit neat, bronze egg clusters along leaf veins. When threatened or crushed, adults release a pungent, foul-smelling liquid from thoracic glands to deter predators.
HerbivoreAgricultural PestDefensive Odor
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Squash sap
- Pumpkin sap
- Cucurbit foliage
Predators
- Tachinid flies
- Spiders
- Toads
ThreatsParasitic flies, cold winter temperatures, and crop rotation
HabitatsAgricultural fields, vegetable gardens, and compost sites
Life span1–2 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCoreidae
- SpeciesAnasa tristis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Gardening Impact: Check undersides of squash leaves for bronze egg clusters and scrape them off.
- Defensive Scent: Avoid crushing adults directly to prevent the release of a pungent, lingering odor.
- Winter Cleanup: Remove dead garden vegetation in autumn to destroy preferred overwintering sites.
Parasite (c) Judy Gallagher, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Judy Gallagher · cc-by-sa
Look-Alike (c) Kimberly, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Kimberly · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Gordon C. Snelling, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Gordon C. Snelling · cc-by
Close Relative (c) nancyellivc, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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