Pests of Growing Birdhouse Gourds

Squash Bug

• Squash bugs (Anasa nistis) are about 5/8 inch long, brownish-black to gray or light brown and give off a foul odor when crushed. They are hard to kill, and can cause severe wilting and death to the gourd vines. Early detection is important. First symptoms are light colored areas that later turn brown and die, similar to bacterial wilt. If you see signs, look for adult squash bugs and yellowish-brown to brick red eggs on the leaves and in soil cracks around the plant. Control with carbaryl (Sevin) according to the label's directions.

Squash Vine Borer

• Squash vine borers (Melittia cucurbitae) are day-flying moths with bright orange markings that lay their eggs at the stems of gourds. The 1 to 1-1/2 inches long, cream-colored larvae burrow into the stem and cause the plant to wilt around mid-June. Monitor for these pests using a Scentry Heliothis pheromone trap starting in June. A preventative treatment using pyrethrins, pyrethroids, carbaryl or malathion should be done within one week after moths are first detected and repeated every seven to 10 days for the next two to five weeks. Insecticides are only effective if they are applied as the eggs are hatching.

Cucumber Beetles

• Striped cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum) are yellow with three black stripes and about 1/4 inch long. Spotted cucumber beetles (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) are also yellow but have three rows of dots on their backs. Both beetles feed on tender seedlings and spread bacterial wilt. Control by inspecting crops every few days while at the seedling stage. Treat with 1 percent rotenone dust, methoxychlor, malathion or carbaryl.

Aphids

• Aphids found on gourds include the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae persicae) and the melon aphid (Aphis gossypii). Although the aphids do not do much damage themselves, they transmit a number of different plant viruses that can damage or kill your gourds. Inspect your plants for aphids starting in June. Aphids have pear-shaped bodies and may be green, yellow or brown. Look on the underside of leaves and on leaves that are curling or brown. Don't treat with pesticides unless aphid infestation becomes severe to prevent killing off beneficial insects that eat the aphids. Instead, flush off the aphids with water from a garden hose.