ALEXANDRIA, Minn. — While growing your own vegetables can be quite rewarding, it can also be frustrating, especially when a lush squash plant seems to up and die in a matter of a few days. If you’ve ever attempted to grow squash and had plants that suddenly collapsed, it may have been the work of squash vine borers.
The squash vine borer is a rather attractive, day-flying moth that looks more like a wasp than a moth. The female lays tiny, copper-colored eggs on the stems of plants. As the eggs hatch, the larvae, which look like little white grubs with dark heads, burrow into the stems to feed. It’s all downhill from here since water can no longer flow past the damaged stem.
It’s extremely difficult to control these troublesome insects once they get in the stem, so prevention is key. Row covers can be used but will either need to be removed when flowers appear, or plants will require hand pollination. Regular monitoring can also be effective but spotting those tiny eggs requires a keen eye. Once seen, eggs should be removed and destroyed immediately as they can hatch in about a week’s time.
If you observe sudden wilting, inspect the stems of the plant for yellowish, sawdust-like material which indicates a borer at work. If a borer makes it into a stem, it’s time to engage in warfare. At this point, you don’t have much to lose so you might as well try to save the plant. Use a small knife to make a vertical (lengthwise) slice into the vine in order to remove and kill the larva. Place soil over the slit stem to encourage root development and keep the plant thoroughly watered.
For more information about squash vine borer id and control, visit: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/squash-vine-borers
Until Next Time, Happy Gardening!
Robin Trott is a Horticulture Educator with University of Minnesota Extension.
— Robin Trott, University of Minnesota Extension, Douglas County
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