Young nymphs are the easiest life stage to control and should be targeted for insecticide applications. The nymphs are most easily located in close proximity to egg clusters just after hatching. Aphids and mites can cause damage to leaves and leave deposits on fruit reducing marketable yield. Low numbers can be tolerated throughout most of the season, and scouting results will indicate whether populations are increasing and should be controlled. Good fruit set and development on squash and pumpkins are dependent upon insects, primarily honeybees and bumblebees, to adequately pollinate the female flowers.
Flowers are most receptive to pollination during the morning hours.
Flowers should be examined to determine activity of bees. If fewer than one bee per ten flowers is noted during the morning hours, the producer should bring beehives into the field to ensure adequate pollination. Diseases Squash and pumpkin are susceptible to several diseases that attack the roots, foliage, and fruit. The most common diseases in Oklahoma have been powdery mildew and virus diseases. Disease control is essential in the production of high quality squash and pumpkin.