SQUASH BORER 
 
 
 1 CN50M 
 
 i or adult with wings epread; b, moth with wings partly folded; c, part of* aqua 
 
 it open to show borer fchin; J. pupal cell in soil cut 
 
 show /' b plant showing typical appearance of wilting 
 
 ling of squash borer inside the -• . tbout 1 \ i times natural size; b 
 
 about two-thirds natural size; t atx>ut one-third" natural - 
 
 (See other ride for life history, injury, and control) 
 
 f Entomology and P 
 
 Picture S I No. l<> 
 
SQUASH BOREK 
 
 Melittia satyriniformis HI 
 
 Squash vines, in many sections of the country, may will suddenly 
 early in the summer. Usually this wilting is due to the squash bori r, 
 
 B caterpillar which bores into the stein near the ground. It- presence 
 may escape notice until piles of yellow, sawdustlike excrement, which 
 fall- from holes in the stem, become evident. 
 
 Life History 
 The adult is called a clear-winged moth because the hind \\ i 
 are transparent, like those of a wasp. The female moth lays eggs on 
 the stems in June or July in the North and in April and May in the 
 South, or earlier in the far South. The minute young Larvae, or 
 caterpillars, on hatching from the e<:<rs, bore into the stem, grow 
 rather rapidly, and become full-grown when about 1 inch long, after 
 a period of about 4 weeks. One generation occurs in the North, two 
 in the South, and a partial second generation in intermediate regions. 
 The winter is spent in the soil as mature larvae or as pupae. 
 
 Injury 
 When the borers are numerous they cause severe injury. They 
 bore throughout the interior of the stems near the base and may 
 travel tip the stems, even to the petioles of the leaves. Sometime- 
 vines are almost severed. The fruits are sometimes attacked. As 
 the larvae become larger the excrement which is pushed out of holes 
 in the stems becomes visible. While most serious on squashes, espe- 
 cially the Hubbard, the borers also attack pumpkins, cucumbers, 
 gourds, and other cucurbits. 
 
 Control 
 
 Although control is difficult, the following remedies have been 
 recommended: Apply a dust mixture of derris or cube, diluted with 
 talc, tobacco dust, or some other inert diluent. The mixture should 
 contain not less than 1 percent of rotenone, which is a toxic constituent 
 of derris and cube. Apply the dust to the stems and basal parts of 
 th«- vines three or more times at 10-day intervals. The mixture may 
 be purchased, or it may be prepared at home by mixing S pounds of 
 diluent and 2 pounds of derris or cube containing 5 percent of rotenone 
 or 6 pounds of diluent and 2 pounds of derris or cube 4 containing 4 
 percent of rotenone). A spiny composed of 1 part of 40-percent 
 nicotine sulfate to 100 parts of water has been reported as effective in 
 reducing infestations. Apply the spray to the stems near the b 
 of the plant, and repeat the application at least weekly during the 
 egg-laying period. 
 
 The success of any insecticidal treatment will depend upon early 
 and repeated treatment, because after the young Larvae have reached 
 the inside of the stein the insecticides will not affect them. 
 
 'IMir practice of covering the stems with soil to induce rooting 
 beyond injured portions has long been followed with >\nr, as, especially 
 on heavy soils in humid areas. 
 
 After the borers have entered the stems and their presence becomes 
 evident, the only known remedy is to slit the stems longitudinally 
 with a thin knife or razor blade and remove the borer. The injured 
 portion should then be covered with soil. 
 
 10—40783 
 
 April 1941 U. S. Government Printing Office 
 
 ]• () r >ale by the Superintendent of Documents, Wa UN(VERSITY 0F FLO r,da 
 
 i 
 
 3 1262 09082 4680