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Pumpkintown, SC

As I understand it, these little monsters are more of a southern problem but am looking for help from anyone "in the know." I am using a product with Permethrin as I understand this a good insecticide for them. My question; has anyone had any success with this or any other insecticide AND does the spray have to hit them or does it work once they bite the plant with the insecticide on it. Also, since these little buggers literally bore right into the cavity of the pumpkin - I'm interested in just how long the insecticide takes to kill the worm once it bites the pumpkin with the insecticide on it(ie. does it kill them before they have time to bore all the way through the pumpkin and spoil it?) Thanx for the help!

8/9/2002 11:38:19 PM

Florida

yes, you know what you've got. it took me years to correctly identify what they are. if you're trying the organic approach, i have used thuricide with some success against them. malathion works good also. another thing i think that helps is to hand-pick as many as you can, and look for the cocoons at the end of the year, this way you know you've got them. the moth is about 1 1/2" long, white to light brown with or without spots, looks like any other bug to me. as for how the insecticide works, they have to eat the plant for thuricide to work. for malathion and permethrin, i'm not sure but i think they have to eat the plant too. they also seem to get out of control very quickly, if i'm lazy and skip spraying for a week or ten days and my plants will be completely defoliated and any pumpkins all chewed up. good luck.

8/10/2002 8:48:21 PM

Rydal, Georgia

SO, I have found that my ornamental gourds and Plumgranny's have some holes in them and there is a small little white worm. It may be the same type thing you are talking about. It has only started happening in the last two weeks. Since I dont spray the gourds or plumgranny, they have eaten on them. I have been spraying the pumpkins about two times a week with Malathion and Doconil mixture. I hope the worms dont get into them. Good Luck!

8/13/2002 1:09:30 PM