What's eating my crown prince squash?

Crown Prince is a large winter squash vulnerable to aphids that vector cucumber mosaic virus, powdery mildew pressure, and slug damage on young plants. Squash vine borer is the main threat in North America. Fruits on the ground can attract slugs and mice late in the season. Good spacing reduces mildew.

Soft shoot tips colonised; leaves curl and show virus mosaic mottling; plants stunted and fruit deformed when CMV infection is early Monitor from transplant; blast with water or apply neem/insecticidal soap; remove virus-infected plants immediately; reflective mulch to deter winged aphids

Young plant stems and leaves eaten at night; larger fruit with ground contact develop holes and rot entry points Raise seedlings before planting out; ferric phosphate pellets; place mature fruit on straw, roof tiles, or pot feet to keep off damp soil; hand-pick at night

Rapid wilting of one or more vines from stem tunnelling; frass at stem base; C. maxima is less preferred than C. pepo but still attacked Foil-wrap stem bases; use row covers early; plan second planting to escape peak moth period (mid-June to mid-July in most US regions)

Gnaw holes in stored or field-left fruit; burrow into maturing fruits in autumn Harvest when skin turns blue-grey and fully hardened; store in a frost-free shed off the ground; set humane traps around storage areas