Squash Vine Borer

insect

Melittia cucurbitae

Moth larvae that bore into squash stems causing sudden wilt. Devastating to summer squash and pumpkins.

Identification

Sawdust-like frass at base of stem. Wilting vine despite adequate water. Cut stem to find white grub inside.

Sudden wilt of individual vine sections. Frass (sawdust-like excrement) at stem entry point. Plant death if main stem is bored.

Wrap stem bases with aluminum foil or row cover fabric. Bt injection into stems. Surgically remove borers with knife.

Carbaryl base spray at 7-10 day intervals during moth flight. Permethrin.

Row covers until flowering. Succession planting (early and late). Grow Butternut squash (resistant due to solid stems). Monoculture avoidance.

Data confidence: medium | Source: curated_ipm