Squash Bug vs Potato Leafhopper
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Squash Bug | Potato Leafhopper |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anasa tristis | Empoasca fabae |
| Order | Hemiptera | Hemiptera |
| Family | Coreidae | Cicadellidae |
| Size | 14-18 mm | 3-3.5 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Farmland |
| Diet | Sap Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Squash Bug
A flat, dark grayish-brown bug that is a major pest of squash and pumpkin plants. When crushed, it emits a distinctly unpleasant odor similar to stink bugs.
Did You Know?
Squash bugs inject toxic saliva while feeding that causes a condition called anasa wilt, which can kill entire squash vines within days of a heavy infestation.
Potato Leafhopper
A small bright green leafhopper that causes hopperburn on potato, bean, and alfalfa leaves. It migrates northward each spring on storm fronts from the Gulf states.
Did You Know?
It runs sideways when disturbed, a distinctive behavior that helps distinguish it from other leafhoppers.