While it is not so much of a problem on large farms, with many acres of cucurbits, small farms and organic growers tend to be the most impacted by this pest. The squash vine borer (Figure 1) is a member of the clear-winged moths, a unique group of moths that are active during the daytime. They are very beautiful with their bright colored orange tufts on their legs, but can be devastating.
Figure 1. Squash Vine Borer
The insect overwinters as a late instar larva or pupa in the soil. In our region, as the soil warms they complete their development and adults emerge around mid-June. There are multiple ways to monitor for this pest, but currently I have bucket traps available for anyone who would like to host one and report moth catches. The traps are equipped with a pheromone lure that smells like the females and pulls the male moths into the bucket. We place a strip in the base of the bucket trap that has been impregnated with insecticide, and will therefore kill the adult males that make their way in.
Figure 2. Bucket trap for Squash Vine Borer.
Trap catches are available in real-time to help farmers throughout the state time their management strategies appropriately. Trap catches can be found here: https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/veg/squash-vine-borer/
If you want to host a trap on your farm, call me at (765) 494-6167 or email lingwell@purdue.edu.