For many people, the fruits of zucchini plants are a delicacy. Pests also love the pumpkin plant. With the right measures, you can drive away pests and protect your zucchini.
Table of Contents
aphids
With their large mouth parts, aphids pose a threat to the leaves of the plant. The aphids set out in droves to suck the sap from the plants. Aphids come in a variety of colors:
- green
- yellow
- rot
- schwarz
If the zucchini is infested with aphids, the plants deform. Other illnesses can result from the infestation. Numerous natural enemies protect the pumpkin plant from aphids:
- catchy tunes
- flower bugs
- Singvögel
- parasitic wasps
- ladybug
- larvae
- be crazy
wireworms
With a size of approx. 20 mm, the wireworms are the larvae of the so-called click beetles. The larvae eat nectar from plants. You can quickly recognize an infestation with wireworms, as they leave visible traces. There are feeding tunnels on the roots and vegetables that turn yellow.
flea beetles
Fleas are a threat to cucurbits. When gardens are near a forest, fleas have an easy time. The 2-4mm fleas eat through leaves, seeds, stems and roots. If the infestation is severe, the plants will die.
Erdraupen
Cutworms with the scientific name Agrotis segetum are the larvae of a cutworm moth. The gray pests lay the eggs on the zucchini plant. After the caterpillars hatch, they eat their way through the leaves. There are several generations of cutworms every year. These pose a danger to seedlings. In addition, mature plants can die. A well-paved soil is preferable to make it difficult for the cutworms to get to the garden plants.
Feldmaus
Field mice live in tunnels in well-drained soil. When storing the fruit, it is worth taking a look at protection against field mice. They love to eat the stored plants and fruits. With live traps you can humanely catch the field mice and release them elsewhere.
To fly
Various types of flies pose a threat to the cucurbits:
- Minierfliegen
- white flies
- root flies
The fly species eat their way through different parts of plants. The leaves of the zucchini are usually on the menu. Sucking out the sap weakens the plants. Many flies transmit other zucchini diseases. Crop protection nets can prevent infestation with flies. If possible, cultivation is done in windy regions where the flies do not feel comfortable.
snails
Slugs are a common pest that kills many plants, including zucchini, in the garden. The snails pose a danger to young seedlings and eat them down to the stumps.
spider mite
An infestation of the pumpkin plants with spider mites seems likely if there are cobwebs on the leaves. The yellow-red spider mites are only 0.5 mm in size and are barely visible. In warm temperatures and a dry environment, the spider mites have an easy time. First, bright spots appear on the leaves. These will turn brown and die.
Thripse
Thrips are manageable in size. Most species spread by the wind. The mouthparts help the thrips suck the sap out of the zucchini. Affected parts of the cucurbits die off. Thrips transmit other zucchini diseases, so preventive action is preferable. Use protective nets to protect your plants from thrips.
bugs
Various types of bugs appreciate the juice of zucchini plants. Dry and warm weather promotes development. After infestation, you will find white spots on the leaves of the plant. You can prevent infestation with a crop protection net. Insecticides help control bed bugs in the garden.
frequently asked Questions
So-called beneficial insects help to combat the pests. These are insects that do not pose a threat to the plants, but are among the natural enemies of those animals that attack and destroy the zucchini plants.
Crop protection nets can protect your pumpkin plants from pest infestation. When buying a crop protection net, pay attention to the meshes. The pests are of different sizes. Depending on the local conditions, different network types are suitable.
