Florida Entomologist (2003) 86, 488-490

Silvia I. Rondon, Daniel J. Cantliffe and James F. Price (2003)
Anasa tristis (Heteroptera: Coreidae) development, survival and egg distribution on beit alpha cucumber and as prey for Coleomegilla maculata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) and Geocoris punctipes (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)
Florida Entomologist 86 (4), 488-490
Abstract: During the spring 2002 growing season, the squash bug, Anasa tristis (De Geer) (Heteroptera: Coreidae), appeared for the first time in damaging numbers on the Beit alpha cucumber, Cucumis sativus L., a new greenhouse commodity in Florida. Adult squash bugs distributed egg masses mostly in the upper areas of the cucumber plants. However, the nymphs did not develop beyond 2nd instar when fed solely on cucumber leaves and fruits. Although squash bugs may not be the preferred prey for Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer or Geocoris punctipes (Say), 1st instar squash bugs were consumed by 3rd instars and adults of these predators. C. maculata adults consumed more prey than did the nymphs or either stage of G. punctipes . Early detection of the squash bug and immediate releases of these predators would be required to affect a significant level of control.
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Database assignments for author(s): Silvia I. Rondon

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
general biology - morphology - evolution

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Anasa tristis	Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)	U.S.A. (SE)
Coleomegilla maculata (predator)	Anasa tristis	Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)	U.S.A. (SE)
Geocoris punctipes (predator)	Anasa tristis	Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)	U.S.A. (SE)