![]() Once the eggs hatch seven to 10 days later, the larvae immediately begin burrowing into vines where they feed for 14 to 30 days. Female moths lay small, brown eggs at the base of plants. This coincides with full bloom of the common roadside weed chicory. They emerge as moths in late June and July, when 900 degree day 50 have been reached. Life Cycle: Squash vine borers overwinter as pupae in the soil. Fields that have been damaged in the past are likely to be damaged again. If frass (i.e., feces) is present near the entrance holes, split the stem lengthwise to confirm the presence of larvae. To distinguish between squash vine borer injury and these diseases, look for entrance holes near the base of wilting vines. Wilt symptoms may be confused with those caused by bacterial wilt or Fusarium wilt. This wilting is caused by larvae as they tunnel through vines and destroy the tissue that transports water. The first symptom of feeding damage is when plants wilt midday. Symptoms and Effects: Damage caused by squash vine borer larvae often goes undetected until infested plants wilt and die in late July and August. Larvae are 1 1/2 to two inches long at maturity. Borers are wrinkled and white with brown head capsules. The moth’s body is rusty orange with black bands on the abdomen. The wingspan of the insect is 1 1∕4 to 1 1∕2 inches. The forewings of the moth are greenish-brown while the hindwings are transparent with a fringe of reddish-brown hairs. Winter squash is highly susceptible to attack.Īppearance: The adult squash vine borer is a day-flying clearwing moth that resembles a wasp. This insect is often not recognized as a potential pest, but can be economically important in some years. The squash vine borer ( Melittia cucurbitae) is an annual pest of pumpkins and squash. Karen Delahaut, formerly UW-Madison Fresh Market Vegetable Program
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |