Squash vine borer has a complete life cycle of egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. Eggs are laid singly on the host plant near the soil line. Larvae hatch in 8–10 days and soon bore into vine at the main stem or runner. What Are Squash Vine Borers? It can be so disappointing when your squash is thriving and suddenly starts to wilt. This may be the result of a squash vine borer (SVB), which is a type of moth that lays its eggs at the base of squashplants. The best squash vine borer prevention is to plant early. How early or late can you plantsquash? The adult moths are active in June, so plan on either transplanting in May or direct sow seeds in mid-June. Squash vine borer moths are day-flying moths with a 1 to 1.5 inch wingspan and bright orange-red markings. In flight, they look like wasps. There is thought to be only one generation per year in New England with adults emerging primarily in June and July. Preventing squash vine borer damage usually requires treating the base of the plants with a residual insecticide spray at the time the moths are flying (early to mid June). The squash vine borer, Melittia cucurbitae, is native to Missouri. It is a serious pest of both summer and winter squash. The insect will also attack cucumbers, pumpkins, muskmelons, and watermelons. Symptoms and Diagnosis. The first symptom is generally wilting of part or all of the plant. Squash vine borers ( Melittia cucurbitae ) will feed on both summer and winter squash and pumpkins as caterpillars. The adult moths are 5/8- to 1-inch long and colorful. Their abdomens are usually orange with black dots. When is the best time to plantsquash? Both summer and winter squash are warm weather plants. Wait until the soil temperature has warmed to at least 60 F (16 C) before direct seeding to ensure your seeds don’t rot before they sprout. elayed planting has some-times been sug-gested as a means to control both squash bug and squash vine borer. Squash bugs, Anasa tristis, and squash vine borers, Melittia cucurbitae, are two of the most vexing cucurbit insect pests. Squash bugs are “true bugs” (belonging to the order Hemiptera) that show a preference for squash and pumpkins.
