Yes, Squash Vine Borer. Mine fell victim this year too. I have panted a second crop to see what will happen with a later season planting. Gotta get those buggers at the egg stage, if possible. Very tiny single brown eggs usually laid on the lower part of the stem. Not to be confused with the squash bug eggs which are an orange cluster usually on the back side of the leaves. Both should be removed by hand when discovered. The link below I an interesting read. Here is a link that might be useful: Squash Vine Borer Control

There is a very nice shrub I've seen at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum called hop bush (Dodonaea viscosa). It's a wild form, with the seeds looking essentially the same. But are you wanting the vine, which I have seen growing in huge plantations in CA farms? The agricultural crop looks very impressive, growing in tall, vast cages. Here is a link that might be useful: Dodonaea viscosa (Master Gardeners, UA Pima Ext. page)

Is that on new culms only? Is it on every culm? Does it eventually branch out? Do you see any evidence of insects there? Do those growths come off? If so, if you break one open do you see insects inside it? I don't have any ideas what it may be right now, but trying to get more info.

In the cactus gallery you can directly upload images. In this forum you need to post a link to your image on an external web server (not your PC). There are many free photo hosting sites. I have an account at Photobucket.com. Photobucket is free, and allows you to save plenty of images for use on this or any other web site. Photobucket generates the HTML codes for posting an image or a clickable thumbnail in a post here. Register. Upload your images. Copy the correct code for posting here. Paste your image or thumbnail in a post here. Click on the PREVIEW button to make sure you have the code right. Take your time. It may seem difficult at first, but when you figure it out, it's easy. More info below. Here is a link that might be useful: Gardenweb FAQ: How do I use HTML code to...