Tiny bugs on squash and beans

Broomfield, CO

My zucchini and butternut squash have been having a really hard time this year. Their leaves get holes in them that enlarge and eventually nothing's left but the leaf stem and its veins. My beans seem affected as well. I've spotted these veerrrry tiny insects on the top of the leaf, but nothing on the bottom. They seem immune to neem oil. I'm in Colorado, USA. Any ideas how to stop them? BTW, I've never had insect pressure this badly before, and this is the first year I've used mulch (2 to 3 inches deep).

Thumbnail by Xavven
Minot, ND

I don't see anything in your image other than specks of debris. And anything that tiny would not inflict the damage you are experiencing. Be on the lookout for anything that looks like these - https://extension.umd.edu/learn/double-trouble-squash-bug-and-squash-beetle (adult)
http://www.simplegiftsfarm.com/images/yellow-with-spikes-21555127.jpg (larva)

Broomfield, CO

Thanks, Flapdoodle. I checked the undersides and stems this morning to see if I had any squash bugs and I didn't find anything like that, but I did find a hole in the stem. Does this provide any better clues?

I decided to read up on vine borers, but it seems the symptoms for those are more along the lines of wilting stems. I have strong stems (minus that suspicious hole) but eaten leaves.

Thumbnail by Xavven Thumbnail by Xavven
Minot, ND

That hole in the stem is not typical of a squash vine borer...

Lucketts, VA(Zone 7a)

The amount of damage to your leaves appears to be fairly minor, not a threat to squash production, just part of a normal garden.

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
BACK TO TOP