General Information

Scientific name: Anasa nistis
Heteroptera:Coreidae

Host plants

Cucurbit crops, but preferably squash, pumpkin, cucumber, and watermelon

Distribution

Some parts of Asia but prevalent in the Americas

Damage

Both nymphs and adults feed on the sap of plants' leaves and vines. Their feeding damage causes 'Anasa wilt' on squash, cucumber, pumpkin, and watermelon. The infested plant parts turn black and become crisp and brittle.

The young plants can not tolerate the bugs' damage, and die a few days later. The older plants will have damaged vines, and bear small and malformed fruits or in severe cases, will bear no fruit at all.

Description

The egg is ovate-shaped and measures 1- 1œ mm in diameter in size. It is orange-yellow when newly laid and turns yellowish-brown to bronze in color several days later. The eggs are laid in groups of 7-20, normally on the lower surface of the leaf but are also found on the upper surface, or on the petioles of the leaf. The egg development lasts for 7-9 days.

The nymph is whitish to greenish-gray with black legs. It looks like a tiny spider when newly-hatched. It has red legs and antennae, and a green abdomen. Its colors change as it develops. The nymphal stage ranges from 30-45 days.

The adult is grayish, light-brown or brownish-black in color. It has a flat back and has alternate gold and brown marks on the edges of its abdomen. It emits an unpleasant odor when crushed. It can live up to 130 days.