Term: Squash Vine Borer
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The adults of these little pests are often mistaken for wasps, but in fact they are a type of moth that lays eggs at the base of leaf stalks. Their larvae can chew right through your precious plants! To prevent damage, start plants under row covers, removing later in the season to allow pollinating insects, or you can pollinate flowers by hand. The moths are drawn to yellow colors, so you can try using yellow bowls filled with water as traps in which they will drown. If you discover a hole where a borer larvae has entered your plant, you can try to carefully remove the borer and cover the section of stem with soil, allowing the plant to grow new roots.