What's eating my 'crookneck' summer squash?

Yellow crookneck squash (Cucurbita pepo) is one of the most vulnerable squash types to squash vine borers because C. pepo stems are thin-skinned and attractive to egg-laying moths. Squash bugs, powdery mildew-related pest pressure from aphids, and cucumber beetles are also major threats. Deer and rabbits will eat young plants.

Sudden vine collapse from the base; frass (yellow-green sawdust) at stem entry holes; larvae tunnel through the hollow stem interior. Plant early to harvest before peak borer flight. Wrap stems in foil or row fabric. Apply Bt or spinosad to stem bases weekly mid-June through July. Succession-plant a second crop after borer season.

Wilting patches on leaves; bronze egg clusters on undersides; plants develop dark, crisp, dead patches as bugs extract sap in groups. Inspect leaf undersides every 2–3 days and scrape off egg masses. Trap adults under cardboard overnight then dispose. Neem oil on young nymphs before they harden.

Colonies on growing tips and undersides cause leaf curl and honeydew; vector cucumber mosaic and zucchini yellow mosaic viruses. Strong water jets dislodge colonies. Insecticidal soap or neem oil applied every 5–7 days. Avoid excess nitrogen fertiliser which promotes soft, aphid-attracting growth.