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Santa Cruz, CA

We have one plant in our patch that is really getting munched by something. I haven't seen what it is yet that is causing the damage but the holes in the leaves can be as large as an inch round and some leaves have 10 or more holes per leaf. None of our other plants are getting eaten. What should I do? Does this mean a weak plant? Should I pull it now? There is a little yellowing along the the leaf veins and that worries me. Any ideas? Thanks for the help. -Creek

6/3/2007 12:38:00 AM

Rhode Island

could be any number of things especially if its isolated on only one plant. seems to me if it were insects you would have it on all plants.

id send a leaf sample out to be tissue tested.

6/3/2007 4:26:07 AM

Santa Cruz, CA

Who and where do I send the leaf sample to?

6/3/2007 12:33:15 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Sounds like maybe cucumber beetles. Or maybe crows/birds are making the holes.

6/3/2007 1:23:39 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

If this is obvious then sorry but my shorter bamboo stakes frequently punch holes in the leaves but I'm trying to eliminate this problem by using stakes 24" or longer for wind control.

6/3/2007 9:00:14 PM

Phoenix, AZ

I found birds were putting holes in my leaves trying to get at insects crawling on them.

6/3/2007 9:32:05 PM

Santa Cruz, CA

Do cucumber beetles chew large holes in the leaves? It seems from my observation that they nibble on the edges of leaves and lay their eggs under the leaves. These are large holes all over the leaf. What ever is eating is also getting the new growth as well. It's not the bamboo stakes this time, but I have had them rip the leaves sometimes especially if it's windy. There are blue jays in the area but I've never had problems with them in the past. I've turned the leaves over and see no insects of any kind or eggs. What kind of damage do squash bugs do? Could it be them? I saw a few immature ones a month back on the ground but haven't seen any on the plants. I usually find them hiding around the stump but don't see any. What about ball bugs? Could they be doing this kind of damage? Sorry for all the questions but this one puzzles me...and it would be nice to figure out. Thanks for the help- Creek

6/4/2007 1:20:14 AM

Colo.Spgs.CO. Pikes Peak Chapter @ [email protected]

Here in colorado it would be hail that caused holes, as I have had 6 storms hit the patch already. I wonder if I will break the record this year for hail storms, as a couple of years back I think I had 18 during the growing season....Hail insurance is a must, as no holes in my leaves happen due to whole patch netting.
Maybe the hail stones are richocheying off of the colorado mountains and west into california...LOL

6/4/2007 2:41:00 AM

Santa Cruz, CA

I found a three quarter inch green-yellow catapillar on the pumpkin leaf today. I'm not sure what it is but it could have chewed holes for sure.

6/4/2007 7:55:56 PM

Williamsport, Pa.

do you have sparrows visiting your patch? im tellin ya they did it to me last year.. ground corn and ground rat poison

6/4/2007 10:35:53 PM