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| When I went out to my garden today, I noticed a few of the yellow flowers from my summer squash on the floor. I'm new to garnetting, but I didn't think that the flowers were meant to fall to the ground. Since it wasn't no use to the plant anymore, I peeled open the flower that was still somewhat closed, and inside were one or two tiny larvae/caterpillar/squiggly worms!! Haha. (I'm not sure what they are!) Out of curiosity, I peeled open another flower that is still attached to the plant. It to had one of these guys in it! The picture I've attached comes from the flower that was still on the plant. In size, the insect is about an inch at maturity. My question is, what exactly is this thing? And also, is it beneficial or of harm to my squash plants? Also, why does it reside inside of the flowers on the plant? I squished one of them, and the orange pollen from inside the plant came out of it� Could this mean it's eating the pollen? Please get back to me with any advice, or if you have any clue what this little guy is! Thank you! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by CourtneyB123 none (My Page) on Mon, Jun 9, 14 at 18:34
| This is a view that shows a little more of the plant. If the chewed leaves tell you anything!! Haha |
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- Posted by writersblock 9a/10b (My Page) on Mon, Jun 9, 14 at 19:24
| Pickleworm, I think. At this time of year it's very hard to avoid in most of FL. |
Here is a link that might be useful: U of F on pickleworm
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- Posted by CourtneyB123 none (My Page) on Mon, Jun 9, 14 at 20:54
| How do I get rid of it?! |
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- Posted by writersblock 9b/10a (My Page) on Mon, Jun 9, 14 at 21:47
| Well, unfortunately once you have it it's just about impossible to get rid of it. Most people rely on prevention and plan to be done with cucurbits about this time. Some people leave infested summer squash as a kind of sacrificial crop in the hopes that the worms will stick to that and leave melons and such alone. (They seem to prefer summer squash over any other plant, given a choice.) You can try spraying with spinosad or dusting with BT, but both of these are more effective as preventives than cures since the worms go into the fruit where nothing can reach them, and the moth hides except late at night, so she's not there to be poisoned. Next season plant early, use row covers, and either hand pollinate or plant parthenocarpic varieties that don't need pollination. (Bees can't get under the row cover to pollinate for you.) I'm afraid there's no simple solution once you've got them. |
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- Posted by CourtneyB123 none (My Page) on Tue, Jun 10, 14 at 19:53
| I do believe this worm to be pickleworm..I have picked off as many as I can see and daily I go out and scour the leaves searching for them then I smush them. I have little squash forming and I have hopes that I'll kill off enough of their population before they eat through my squash!! |
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