Who has been munching on yourcucurbits ? Well , there are sure enough many possible suspects , but if you live on in the Gulf Coast states or along the East Coast between Connecticut and Florida , the perpetrator just might be pickleworms .
What a heavy coarse name . The pickleworm get its name from one of its favored food beginning : the Cucumis sativus . Although cucumbers are a major food source for pickleworms , a whole host of other cucurbits entice this athirst cat . Summer squelch , cantaloupe , pumpkin , butternut squash , turban squash and , to a lesser level , Citrullus vulgaris are all delicious snack for this pest , which tunnels into the crops ’ flowers and yield . Severe plague can destroy full crops , but even lesser population can ruin the edibility of fruits ( through yield drop cloth and yield contortion ) , resulting in lower yields .
Try To Spot The Pickleworm
Gardeners are unconvincing to ever encounter the adult moths , which are only active at Nox . They ’re quite low with a wingspread that only make about 1¼ inches across-the-board . The upper sides of the annexe are distinctively marked with a brown border wall a yellowish sphere in the center of that has some attractive opalescence . The rear of the pickleworm moth abdomen boast an unco large broom - like tuft of hairs that can help name this coinage . The pickleworm only overwinters in southern tip of Florida and in southernmost Texas . The wide eating range of this metal money is due to migration of the adult moth who travel north during warm months , pose eggs near suitable food for thought sources , which include your cucumber .
Eggs are laid near the flowers or fruit of host plants and emerge in a few day . The first instar of the pickleworm larva tends to flow on the outside of flowers or yield before quickly burrow into the fruit or blossom . It will interchange colors as it arise and is not commonly tell apart because it feeds inside the efflorescence or fruit . A mature larva reaches only about 1/2 in long and has a chocolate-brown read/write head and greenish - icteric body . Earlier instar are often lighter - color with dark spot that go away as the caterpillar reach maturity .
Stop The Pickleworm
Because the pickleworm is an home eating cat , it is challenge to use traditional organic pest solutions that contain Bt ( B thuringiensis ) . alternatively , the best solution to prevent harm by pickleworms is to be after in the lead by planting your squash vine and cucumbers as early as workable in your part so that your first harvest is completed or on - get going when the first pickleworms emerge or arrive in your part . This is especially important for gardens find outside of the overwintering range of this insect . Also , many cucurbits are somewhat resistant to pickleworms , so if this plague is a regular issue in your realm , focus on found those metal money and diversity . Talk to your local file name extension federal agent about pickleworm - tolerant cucurbits that are successful in your area .
