Re: squash vine borers

Found this in an Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet
(http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~ohioline/hyg-fact/2000/2153.html):

"Hosts
Squash, aucchini, pumpkins, and gourds are attacked. The borer prefers
hubbard squashes over other hosts. Butternut squash is less susceptible than
other squashes. Cucumbers and melons are usually not attacked."

"Natural Enemies
The stage most susceptible to natural enemies is the egg stage, which is
attacked by parasitic wasps. Larval and adult ground beetles (Family
Carabidae) can attack larvae of squash vine borer, but do not appear to
cause significant mortality."

"Cultural Control
* Destroy vines soon after harvest to destroy any larvae still inside stems.
*Disk or plow the soil in fall or spring to destroy overwintering cocoons.
*Cover vines at leaf joints with moist soil, to promote formation of
secondary roots that will support the plant if the main root and stem are
injured.
*A trap crop of very early-planted Hubbard squash can be use to aleviate
pest pressure from other cucurbits."

"Physical Control
The following are suitable in small plantings:
*Borers can be removed from vines if detected before much damage is done.
Examine stems in early summer; once holes are detected, slit the stem
logitudinally with a fine sharp knife, remove the borer, then cover th
wounded stem with mois soil above the point of injury to promote additional
root formation.
*Stems can be covered with a barrier, such as strips of nylon stockings, to
prevent egg laying.
*Catch and destroy the moths, especially at twilight or in early morning
when they are resting on the upper side of leaf bases.
*Hand-pick the eggs before they hatch."

Dusty Weaver

"
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index