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Winter Squash and Pumpkins > Leaves > Wilting/drooping leaves

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  • Image: Squash Vine Borer 1
    Credit: E.C. Burkness, University of Minnesota
  • Image: Squash Vine Borer 2

    Credit: J. Hahn, University of Minnesota

  • Image: Squash Vine Borer 3

    Credit: J. Hahn, University of Minnesota

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green arrowSquash Vine Borer
Melittia cucurbitae

  • Feeding by larvae causes yellowing of leaves and wilting
  • Holes filled with green to orange excrement near the base of the plant may be present
  • Common on summer and winter squash and pumpkins
  • Adult borer resembles a wasp, is active mid-June through July
  • More information on Squash Vine Borer...
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  • Image: Squash Bug 1
    Credit: E. C. Burkness, University of Minnesota
  • Image: Squash Bug 2

    Credit: E. C. Burkness, University of Minnesota

  • Image: Squash Bug 3

    Credit: J. Hahn, University of Minnesota

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green arrowSquash Bug
Anasa tristis

  • Feeding can cause yellowing and wilting
  • Common on squash and pumpkins
  • Adults are 5/8 inch long, somewhat flattened, and gray to dark brown with alternating orange and brown stripes on the edges of their abdomen
  • Nymphs are 1/10 to 1/2 inch and are a light to dark gray color
  • Active from May through September
  • More information on Squash Bug...
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  • Image: Bacterial Wilt 1
    Credit: H. Schwartz, CSU, Bugwood.org
  • Image: Bacterial Wilt 2

    Credit: Charles Averre, North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org

  • Image: Bacterial Wilt 3

    Credit: Charles Averre, North Carolina State University, Bugwood.org

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green arrowBacterial Wilt
Erwinia tracheiphila

  • Leaves first appear dull green, wilt during the day, and recover at night
  • Eventually wilted leaves die
  • Wilt progresses down the vine until entire vine is wilted or killed
  • Striped or spotted cucumber beetles will be present in the garden
  • Cucumbers and muskmelon most commonly affected (pumpkins & squash less affected)
  • More information on Bacterial Wilt...
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  • Image: Cold Temperature 1
    Credit: E.C. Burkness, University of Minnesota
  • Image: Cold Temperature 2

    Credit: Sue Morris

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green arrowCold Temperature

  • Weather has been cold (below 50°F) and wet
  • Soil is cold (below 62°F) and damp to the touch
  • Leaf edges turn olive green to brown
  • In severe cases entire leaves, young shoots or the entire plant may be completely discolored and wilted
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  • Image:Phytophthora Blight 1
    Credit: H. Schwartz, CSU, Bugwood.org
  • Image: Phytophthora Blight 2

    Credit: D. Langston, UGA, Bugwood.org

  • Image: Phytophthora Blight 3

    Credit: P. Bachi, UKY, Bugwood.org

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green arrowPhytophthora Blight
Phytophthora capsici

  • The entire plant may collapse if root and crown rot occurs
  • Stem and leaf petiole lesions are light to dark brown, water soaked and irregular
  • Large irregular brown spots on leaves
  • Fruit develop soft, water-soaked lesions which expand to large sections of the fruit
  • Infected fruit are soft, easily punctured and often collapse
  • Infected fruit are covered with white fungal growth
  • More information on Phytophthora Blight...

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