The squash vine woodborer ( Melittia satyriniformis ) is a potentially devastatingpestto squash plants and other cucurbit plants . The cay to preventing their damage is pick out them betimes and hold action .
Identifying the Squash Vine Borer
Even the most observant gardener may not know the squash vine stone drill is present in their garden . Unfortunately , much damage can occur to plants before they bang . Learning what the adult , eggs , and the larvae see like is the beginning of stopping any damage .
Adult Squash Vine Borer
Adult squash vine rock drill are moth that resemble wasps . The moths are only about 1/2 inch long with orangish abdomens with black dots and reddish - orangish “ hairy ” hind leg . The front set of wing of the moth are metallic green . The backset of wings are clear and not easily seen . The wingspan of the grownup is approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inch wide .
Squash Vine Borer Eggs
Squash vine borer adult , unlike most moths , fly around during the day , laying unconditional cherry - chocolate-brown eggs that are about 1/25 inch long . Most of the eggs are laid on the lower one metrical foot of stems near the filth surface .
Squash Vine Borer Larvae
The larvae of squash vine borers are livid or ointment - colored with a brown headland . They can develop to 1 inch long . Frass ( louse debris or excrement ) on the vines and stanch are a telltale mark that the squash vine borer larvae are feed your flora . Unfortunately , this is commonly how a nurseryman learn of the pest ’s world in their garden .
The Life Cycle of Squash Vine Borers
About one to two inch below the soil surface , the overwintering grownup larvae transform into pupa live in cocoons . Here the pupa stay on in the cocoons until former fountain or other summertime . The colorful moth come forth , situate a Paraguay tea , and female moth begin position testis on plant stems .
The time between the egg laying of nut and the hatching of the eggs is only a few days . The new hatched larvae right away begin boring through the stems of the squash plant where they will feast for 14 to 30 days and then return to the land . Most clime have one generation per class : some have two generations .
Plants that Squash Vine Borers Attack
The squash vine borers attacksummer squash , winter squash , gourd vine , and pumpkin . Cucumbers and melons are also known to be attacked by the stone drill , but not as often as the other members of the cucurbit family .
Signs of Squash Vine Borer Infestation
Today ’s beautiful , healthy squash plant can droop and appear to be dying tomorrow . green or brown sawdust - like frass on the stalk intend that there are one or more larvae within the fore of the industrial plant . The squash vine borer larvae eat the spongy affair inside the stems cut off vital water and nutrient to the plant .
Yellow Trap Pans
The lily-livered trap genus Pan trick can alert the nurseryman to the squash vine borer ’s presence in the garden . By previous June , place a yellow container meet with water supply near the squash rackets plants . fully grown squash racquets vine rock drill are draw to the color yellow . If the moth are near , they will pilot near and fall into the water system .
Early Intervention for Control
The hurt a squash vine vine borer inflicts can potentially be stopped if some simple steps are taken . Knowing the borer ’s life cycle per second is crucial in hunting down and attack these pests before they become huge trouble . Here are some strategies that can be taken .
Remove the Source of Infestation
After harvest , off and put down sometime vines that may hold back crush vine stone drill eggs and larva . Some of the larva may have already entered the territory for the winter , so till the territory to let out any cocoons that may be there . The Bronx cheer will eliminate one author of infestation by having a feast on the break larva .
Remove Squash Vine Borer Eggs
The reddish - brown testicle of the squash vine bore bit are easy to locate on the plant stem . Simply remove the eggs and destroy them . The eggs crosshatch in a few days , so quickly destroy them . No eggs mean no larva !
Delay Planting Squash in Spring
Some gardener practise planting squash rackets later in the time of year . The hypothesis is that if the moth emerges finding no food seed , it moves on to a new fix . The late planting may also deter other plague such assquash bugsthat snipe squeeze plants .
Use Pantyhose as a Barrier
The adult squash vine borer ( moth ) lay its ballock on stem usually within one foot of the soil ’s surface . When a plant is very youthful , a covering over the shank can forestall the moth from laying ballock . A 4 to 6 - inch circular baseball swing of pantyhose carefully placed over the young works or pantyhose fabric wrapped around the stem should discourage the moth .
Use Aluminum Foil as a Barrier
Another roadblock that may be efficient is aluminum foil . Cover each halt up to about 10 in from the soil airfoil . The reflexion of the Lord’s Day on the hydrofoil confuses the moths make them to look elsewhere for bollock - laying location .
Use Floating Row Covers as a Barrier
float course cover ( fleece ) can protect plants from being devastate by squash vine borers . The cover are light , white polyester textile used to protect young plants from insect attack . Do not utilize rowing covers if any cucurbit plant life grew in that same area the previous year . overwinter larvae may be in the soil and be trapped under the cover .
Grow Squash Vine Borer Resistant Varieties
There are some varieties of squash racquets that are more resistant to the borer than others . Green Striped Cushaw andButternutare the most tolerant . Summer Crookneck is not as tolerant as these , but more repellent than courgette . Growing these may save a nurseryman a lot of meter and employment .
Natural Repellents
keep the squash vine borer moth away from or kill the borer will foreclose the egg from ever being place . There are several natural repellents that are adequate to of doing this . Here are a few repellents that can be purchase :
Physical Removal of Squash Vine Borer
nurseryman sometimes are plagued with the squash vine borer even after adopt the prevention and insecticidal measures , but there is no need to despair . There is another pick that may bring through the plant from an early last . The strong-arm removal of the squash vine bore bit is a certain direction to break off this plague . Here are the steps to polish off the stone drill :
Natural Pesticides
There are fourth dimension when it is necessary to use pesticides , especially if a ample crop is desired . instinctive pesticides can be slightly toxic to good insect but is a wiser choice than chemical substance products . There are two natural Cartesian product that may assist the nurseryman in the conflict against squash vine borer .
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth can be used as a barrier . just sprinkle it around the base and on the plant to prevent the larvae from go into the stem . Diatomaceous earth cause microscopical teardrop in the insects causing them to dry out up and die . Rain washes diatomaceous earth off the plants ; therefore , a new app will be call for after each rainfall .
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)
Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) , an all - natural bacteria produced by ferment , is lethal to most leaf - eating caterpillar and also squash vine borer larvae . It paralyzes the digestive tract of the larvae . Within one to two days , they exit of starvation . Several companies offer junk and swimming form of the product . The liquid form is best for squash vine borer restraint .
Using Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) at the proper time is important to control or killing the squash vine borer . After the first flower appear on the squash plants , it is clock time to start the injections before any larvae enter ; however , it can still be apply after the larvae enter .
Fill a 3 - cubic centimeter hypodermic needle or gum injector with liquid Bt . Inject the centre stem about 1 1/2 inches above the soil pedigree , filling the stem with the Bt . If borers are present , inject the Bt about an inch above it . Use about 1 - cc per injectant . Repeat the injections in about a week . Clean the needle or the injector with bleaching agent and pee .
