squash bug

noun

: a large black American bug (Anasa tristis of the family Coreidae) injurious to plants of the gourd family

Examples of squash bug in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet despite its reputation as a vegetable that grows easily and abundantly, zucchini can actually fall victim to a range of diseases and pests, including leaf blight, bacterial wilt, squash bugs, aphids, and squash vine borer. Heather Bien, Southern Living, 3 July 2024 Pests and Problems The three major pests affecting pumpkin plants are squash bugs, cucumber beetles, and melonworms. Nadia Hassani, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 May 2024 By dewdrops flare beauty in the morning Until an army of squash bugs land And eat, then drag their bellies From the carnage— Field mice chew their way Into the house. Joy Harjo, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2024 For example, you can get rid of squash bugs by protecting plants with a physical barrier like floating row covers, picking the insects off by hand, and planting marigold, calendula, sunflower, daisy, alyssum, or dill to attract beneficial insect predators. Deb Wiley, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2023 See all Example Sentences for squash bug 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of squash bug was circa 1846

Dictionary Entries Near squash bug

Cite this Entry

“Squash bug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/squash%20bug. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

squash bug

noun
: a large black American bug that is destructive to squash vines

More from Merriam-Webster on squash bug

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!