MN Fruit & Vegetable IPM News - Vol. 2, No. 7

Squash vine borer tunnels in vines of summer and winter squash and pumpkins. Adults begin to mate and lay eggs on squash vines in June. Once eggs hatch and larvae enter the vine, control is not effective. Pheromone lures specific for squash vine borer are available from commercial pest management suppliers and can be used in traps to determine adult activity and accurate timing for sprays.

Squash bug adults may move into early squash fields from overwintering sites. Growers and scouts should watch carefully for egg laying and hatch of nymphs. Large nymphs and adults are very difficult to control, so insecticides should be timed to control small nymphs. If you wait too long, it may be a continuous battle for the rest of the summer.

Detailed articles and photos of these insects are available in the University of Illinois IPM Newsletter number 9 (http://www.ipm.uiuc.edu/ifvn/volume11/frveg1109.html)

See also the UofM VegEdge Fact Sheets for each pest:

Vine Borer: http://www.vegedge.umn.edu/vegpest/CUCS/vinebor.htm

Squash Bug: http://www.vegedge.umn.edu/vegpest/cucs/squabug.htm

Editor’s Note: This article is based on information provided by Drs. Rick Wienzierl ( University of Illinois) and Ed Grafius (Michigan State University).

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Co-Editors: Bill Hutchison ( hutch002@umn.edu), Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota, Jeanne Ciborowski, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Ag. Resources Management and Development Division, and Suzanne Wold-Burkness ( woldx018@umn.edu), Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota

The Newsletter is published weekly from May through August, cooperatively, by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the University of Minnesota (U of MN). Reports are posted on the U of MN and MDA web sites on Fridays. If you have suggestions and/or comments, please send your contributions by 4 p.m., Wednesday to Jeanne Ciborowski, 651-297-3217, jeanne.ciborowski@state.mn.us , MDA, 90 W. Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55107-2094. You can access the Newsletter at the U of MN web site in htm format at: www.vegedge.umn.edu/MNFruit&VegNews/mnindex.htm and at the MDA web site in pdf format at: www.mda.state.mn.us/biocon/fruitreports/

Partial funding for this publication is provided through partnership agreements with the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (MFVGA) and the United States Department of Agriculture – Risk Management Agency (RMA). These institutions are equal opportunity providers.

DISCLAIMER

Reference to products in this publication is not intended to be an endorsement to the exclusion of others which may have similar uses. Any person using products listed in this publication assumes full responsibility for their use in accordance with current manufacturer directions.

The University, including the Minnesota Extension Service, is an equal opportunity educator and employer. ©1999-2005 Minnesota Extension Service, University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. Contact copyright@extension.umn.edu for information on reproduction or use of this material.