• If you plan on planting zucchini, be on the lookout for insects that can harm the vegetable. Insects play a large part in the death of plants and crops throughout the world. The most common way to protect your garden from pests is constant inspection and cleaning. Washing with insecticidal soaps and pesticides can prevent insects that generally attack zucchini.
  
  

The Squash Bug

• The squash bug is common throughout the United States and is notorious for attacking members of the cucurbit family, which are vine crops. The squash bug generally feeds on the foliage of the plant, but it can begin to feed off of the fruit as the season progresses. When the squash bug feeds it sucks out nutrients and blocks the flow water, which will cause your plant to wilt or begin to develop yellow spots.
  
  

Cucumber Beetle

• The cucumber beetle is most common in the southern United States and is known for attacking melon-like plants. Generally, the cucumber beetle feeds on the foliage, flowers and pollen, which causes your plants to become diseased and eventually wilt. The cucumber beetle hosts bacterium in its stomach throughout the winter months while hibernating. When spring begins and they begin feeding, the bacterium spreads onto your plants from the beetles' feces and mouths.
  
  

Black Cutworm

• The cutworm is common throughout the southern United States and is known for its attacks on vegetable seedlings. Cutworms cause the most damage in the spring and generally attack when the plant is small and tender. The larvae hibernate in the moist soil during daytime hours and come to the surface at nightfall, cutting off the plant just above the surface of the soil.
  
  

Spider Mite

• Spider mites are common to the midwestern United States and are most active within the summer months. They usually attack garden plants, trees and shrubs, leaving damage including leaf discoloration and flecking. They can give your plant a speckled appearance which can lead to wilting leaves and even death.