What's eating my squash?

Squash vine borer is the most destructive squash pest in North America, killing entire vines suddenly. Squash bugs suck sap and spread disease. Cucumber beetles transmit bacterial wilt. Powdery mildew is fungal but often follows aphid and whitefly pressure. In the UK, glasshouse whitefly and slugs on seedlings are primary threats.

Sudden wilt of entire vines; sawdust-like frass at entry holes near the crown of the plant Wrap stems in foil at base before moths emerge; inject Bt into entry holes; plant butternut or Hubbard types which show more resistance

Leaves wilt and turn yellow then brown; bronze egg clusters on leaf undersides; adults and nymphs suck sap Crush bronze egg masses found under leaves; hand-pick adults and nymphs; remove and destroy dead plant material after harvest

Chewed leaves and flowers; adults transmit bacterial wilt; larvae damage roots Floating row covers until flowering; kaolin clay spray; hand-pick adults; plant trap crop of Blue Hubbard squash nearby

Seedlings severed at ground level; holes in young fruit resting on damp soil; slime trails present Raise seedlings under cover before planting out; use iron phosphate pellets; place straw mulch under developing fruit