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Subject: Market Farming
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- From: "Bill Shoemaker" <wshoemak AT inil.com>
- To: "Market Farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
- Subject: Re: Sqaush bugs
- Date: Tue, 12 Jun 2001 08:16:21 -0500
Squash bugs and squash vine borers are two very
different insects with very different "mo's". Squash vine borer is a
clear-wing moth thats lays eggs at the base of the squash or pumpkin plant. The
larvae hatch out and the bore into the stem of the plant, where they remain,
feeding on the inside of the stem. The plant eventually wilts and dies. The
larvae can be surgically removed successfully sometimes. Also, keeping a dusting
of Bt at the base of the plant can be effective in killing the larvae. The
insect only has one cycle per year so you can usually predict when they'll show
up and how long they'll be trouble. In northern Illinois they show up mid-late
June and are usually gone by late July.
Squash bugs are members of the true bug family, similar to
stink bugs but longer, narrower and usually charcoal grey or brown in
appearence. Adults overwinter and move into the squash and pumpkins as the crops
begin to establish. They like to suck juice from the plants, which reduces the
plants' vitality. As the adults lay eggs, very large populations of nymphs
(juveniles) develop. Like my teenagers, they eat way too much so the pumpkins
and squash really begin to suffer. If populations get high enough, plants die. I
can't offer any organic remedies. In fact, not many insecticides work on this
critter. I'd be interested in hearing about any effective organic
strategies.
Bill Shoemaker
Sr Research Specialist, Food Crops Univ of Illinois - St Charles Hort Research Center
|
-
Sqaush bugs,
Jim and Julie Vaughn, 06/11/2001
- <Possible follow-up(s)>
- Re: Sqaush bugs, Vic & Pat Jackowsky, 06/11/2001
- Re: Sqaush bugs, TOMATOLEE, 06/11/2001
- Re: Sqaush bugs, Bill Shoemaker, 06/12/2001
- Re: Sqaush bugs, Jill Taylor Bussiere, 06/12/2001
- Re: Sqaush bugs, Alex McGregor, 06/12/2001
- Re: Sqaush bugs, Bill Shoemaker, 06/12/2001
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