Seeing healthy squash plants can be satisfying when tending to your garden. But amid all the greenery, you might miss something—little orange bugs on your squash plants. Even though they’re small, they can tell you a lot about how well your garden is doing. In this article, we will talk about these orange bugs and how spotting them can help you take better care of your squash plants.
Whenever you spot these orange bugs, there is a high chance that they are squash vine borers or squash beetles (let me know if I miss an insect in this post).
#1. Squash Vine Borers
The squash vine borer (Melittia cucurbitae) stands out due to its bright orange abdomen, making it one of the noticeable orange bugs on squash plants. This larval phase of the borer has a pale body with a striking orange belly, which becomes apparent when these larvae burrow into squash stems. Despite their exciting appearance, these larvae harm plants by munching on inner tissues, causing them to droop and suffer.
Read more: What Does It Mean When You See Orange Eggs On Leaves?
The unique orange abdomen of the squash vine borer helps us spot it easily, highlighting the need to accurately identify pests and find effective ways to protect squash crops from their harm.
Reference: Squash Vine Borer, Melittia cucurbitae | Wisconsin Horticulture Division Of Extension.
#2. Squash beetles
Squash beetles, or squash bugs (Anasa tristis), are sometimes found orange instead of their common grey color. These insects are part of the Hemiptera order and are easily identified by their distinct orange markings amidst their dark brown or black bodies.
Their vibrant orange accents, particularly on their wings and body edges, make squash beetles stand out against the green backdrop of squash plants. However, these eye-catching insects bring trouble to the garden. They use their specialized mouthparts to suck sap from squash plants, causing wilting, yellowing, and potentially harming the plant’s vitality.
The presence of squash beetles is a warning sign for potential damage to squash crops. Managing their population is crucial to maintaining plant health and productivity, as their feeding habits can hinder squash plants’ growth and overall well-being.
Reference: Squash beetle: Epilachna borealis By Jude Boucher, UConn Extension, 2014 | University Of Connecticut.
Summary
Have you ever wondered about those little orange bugs on your squash plants? They might seem unimportant, but they can tell much about your garden. This article explains why these bugs matter and how knowing more about them can help you take better care of your squash plants.
Is there anything that I miss out on in this post? Let me know in the comment section below or through emails! Here are my suggestions for your upcoming related reads on GreenHouseCenter:
