Control of “Rind Worms” on Squash with Foliar Applied Insecticides, 2013 *

“Rind worms” is a term used by growers in south Florida to refer to a complex of at least four lepidopteran pests that damage squash and other cucurbit crops. For this trial at the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center in Immokalee, FL, two raised beds 32 inches wide on 6-ft centers and 430 ft long were prepared with fertilizer (1,000 lb/acre of 10-2-10 NPK) incorporated to cover half anticipated crop nutrient requirements. Beds were fumigated with 100 lbs/acre MBC 50/50 on 17 Aug, two drip tapes with 8-inches spaced emitters were laid, and beds were covered with white-faced polyethylene mulch. Greenhouse-raised seedlings were transplanted on 5 Sep spaced at 24 inches. An RCB design was used with four replications and four treatments plus an untreated check. Each plot contained 12 plants with five buffer plants between plots. Foliar treatments were applied with a high-clearance sprayer operating at 180 psi and 2.3 mph with delivery through two vertical booms, each equipped with three yellow Albuz® hollow cone nozzles and applying at a total rate of 60 gpa on indicated dates ( Table 1 ). All appropriately sized fruit from six plants per plot were removed and evaluated on 21 and 31 Oct and 7 and 14 Nov, although only seasonal totals are given. Evaluation included surface and internal feeding damage by the various pests listed previously. Marketable and culled fruit were counted on each harvest date. Data were subjected to ANOVA and means separated using LSD ( P  = 0.05).

All pest species were seen throughout the trial, with S. eridania and S. albula predominating early in the crop cycle, D. hyalinata mid-season, and D. nitidalis late season. Damage observed on the exterior of the fruit could not be quantified by pest but only Diaphania spp. were found feeding internally.

All products tested significantly increased the number of marketable fruit compared with the untreated control ( Table 2 ), with either rate of IKI-3106 resulting in significantly greater yield than the other products tested. All treatments significantly reduced the number of internally damaged fruit. Interestingly, there were no treatment effects on the number of surface-damaged fruit, suggesting that some of yield differences seen may have been the result of damage to blooms. No phytotoxicity was observed.

Author notes