What's eating my jack-o-lantern pumpkin?

Jack-o-Lantern pumpkins are heavily targeted by squash vine borers (North America) and cucumber beetles. Aphids spread mosaic virus. Powdery mildew weakens leaves in late summer. Deer, rabbits, and squirrels damage maturing fruit in the field. Slug damage is common at seedling stage. Row covers and timely harvest are key defences.

One or more vines wilt suddenly mid-season; sawdust frass at stem base; larvae hollow the stem; C. pepo is the most susceptible cucurbit species Row covers until flowering; wrap stem bases in foil; injection of Bt into stem near entry hole; plant a second crop late June to miss the main moth flight

Chewed leaves, petals, and rind on young fruit; bacterial wilt vectored; heavy early infestations stunt plants badly Row covers early; kaolin clay spray; trap crop of blue hubbard squash; pyrethrin spray targeting adult beetles at soil level

Curled, distorted leaves; mosaic virus symptoms (mottling, blistering); honeydew and sooty mould on leaves Strong water jet; insecticidal soap; neem oil; encourage aphid predators; destroy virus-affected plants promptly

Deer bite into and hollow developing pumpkins; squirrels gnaw through rind especially as fruit ripens and sweetens Deer fencing 8 ft (2.4 m) tall or motion-activated sprinklers; harvest once fully orange and before the first hard frost; cayenne-based deterrent sprays on rind