Evaluation of Insecticides for Squash Vine Borer Control on Pumpkins, 1993

‘Connecticut Field’ pumpkins were direct seeded 8 June, in Storrs, Connecticut. Weed control consisted of the stale-seed-bed technique, using paraquat as a pre-plant spray, supplemented by hand and mechanical cultivation. Bravo 720 was applied weekly between 30 Jul and 8 Sep along with four biweekly applications of Benlate 50W. Plots consisted of 12 plants in a single, 24 ft long row, with two ft between plants. Rows were spaced six ft apart. Single, untreated guard-rows were planted along the outside edges of each block. Seven treatments were replicated four times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments consisted of an unsprayed control and applications of Ambush, Asana, Malathion, Methoxychlor, Rotenone and Thiodan on 16, 23 and 30 July and 6 Aug. The basal portions of the plants were treated by either spraying rows from the top and sides with a CO2 backpack sprayer at 30 psi with 40 gallons of water per acre or using a hand-cranked duster. Five plants from each plot were dissected on 26 and 27 Aug and SVB larvae were counted. On 7 Sep, aphids were counted on two leaves from five plants per plot. Fruit from five plants per plot were harvested, counted and weighed on 16 and 17 Sep.