Update that marigolds and nasturtiums without flowers did not repel the svb,neither did my homemade concoction of tobacco, redpeppers, black pepper, vegetable oil, and dish soap. It rained a few hours after I applied it, today new eggs all over them. I'm giving up organic at least with the svb, trying stuff with methoxychor, or best I've heard yet is this: "A second planting of summer squash made in early July will mature after adult borers have finished laying eggs. " Another nice suggestion: "Mulches are known to harbor squash bugs" http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/squash_pest.html "Iowa State University Organics Research Program conducted trials of various control methods for squash bug and squash vine borer. Researchers found that mulching with newspaper and hay, combined with tightly secured row covers on the plots (a level 2 control), provided very effective control of both weeds and squash bugs in pumpkin (C. pepo)Âespecially in the wet season of 2002.(4, 5) The row covers apparently excluded squash bugs, preventing them from entering to lay eggs. Gauze row covers (e.g., ReemayÂ, AgriforceÂ, AgribonÂ, TufbellÂ) [Section 205.206(b)(1),(2),(3)] physically exclude pests and prevent them from reaching the plants in large numbers. Preventive strategies have become more important with recognition of A. tristis as a probable disease vector. Hand picking and trapping of A. tristis, or slitting each vine to remove the larva, in the case of M. satyriniformis, represent attempts to control pests after they have begun rearing another generation in numbers sufficient to cause economic damage and pest buildup. Such labor-intensive controls may be uneconomical for large plantings." "Some products acceptable in organic vegetable production that are effective against squash bugs include diatomaceous earth, sabodilla, and neem oil. Growers that anticipate using materials to control heavy pest infestations must list these materials and the circumstances for their use in their organic systems plan. This plan must be submitted to and approved by the organic certifier before the producer uses any material." What is a sabodilla? I found a tree by that name, is it the same thing? Here is a link that might be useful: svb info

Yes - I too would concur those are SVB eggs. I removed a bunch off my own plants today and although I covered them after that, I was apparently not quicker than the moth which seems to have arrived at least 5 days earlier this season. The eggs can indeed appear ANYWHERE on the plant, and I found them on the stems and undersides of the leaves, and also near the plant's base. I used sticky tape to remove anything I could find, then covered my whole squash "situation" with lightweight remay fabric. I will hand-pollinate throughout July to get past SVB season in CT. I am also going to plant more bush variety zucchini tomorrow to ensure a late harvest. And while I am out in the garden tending and weeding, I will thoroughly enjoy murdering those little friggers.

The "trunk" of a zucchini plant is dark green (when healthy), and solid. The stems of individual leaves are paler green and hollow. In my zucchini plants, the trunk can be anywhere from 5 to 10 inches long. To kill the larvae, you could pour some BT in there. I have never tried it though. I tried injecting with a meat injector but too often the liquid squirts out on the other side. Other people may have mastered their injector before mastering surgery, but if you have an open cut it can only help to pour some BT in it. I don't know how to catch adult borers. I saw one Sunday and tried to kill it but it was too fast for me (it was buzzing about and about, so it gave me plenty of chances). It is difficult for me to inspect leaves, specially when you have a number of winter squash sprawled over 10X10 ft.

SVB will have the "saw-dust" frass added to the split. Hard to miss.