By Lorena Lopez, Alejandro Del Pozo, and Tom Kuhar.

We continue to see severe pickleworm infestations in squash and pumpkins grown in the Hampton Roads area (Table 1). Summer squash season is gone but beware of your pumpkins. Systemic insecticides are recommended to mitigate pickleworm infestations since contact insecticide cannot reach the larvae that burrow into fruits and flower buds (see the link below for insecticide recommendations). Pickleworm larvae can burrow into pumpkins after harvest as well when they are beautifully displayed in your porches or gardens.