SQUASH VINE BORER AND SQUASH BUG

So all of our squash plants in Franklinton (summer squash, zucchini, cucumber, watermelon, etc) got destroyed by the squash vine borer...

Larva


Adult


and then the squash bug...

Eggs


Teens


Adults



After most of the community garden squash plants had withered, I began to wonder about disease or something. We then left for a week to go to Maine, and when we came back - three of ours had withered completely - and the only one with life left, was covered with squash bug adults having sex rampantly, with already laid eggs (hundreds), along with hundreds of adolescent squash bugs getting sex education from their parents.

Then, when pulling the plants up, we found they had been corroded from the inside by those little white nasty larva(s) of the squash vine borer. gross.

Unfortunately, the squash bugs overwinter in the garden, ready to suck the sap from any and all squash plants next year. I think they can be controlled, naturally, but I am not so sure about the squash vine borer.

I am grateful, however, for the many zucchini that filled our hungry stomachs, as well as the ones we shared with neighbors.

and we have like six or more jars of pickles next door.

good first season. wait till you see my flaming hot peppers.