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Pumpkin leaves suddenly dying #941037

Asked July 30, 2026, 1:06 PM EDT

I have a volunteer pumpkin, 3rd generation, that has been doing wonderfully. Big lush leaves and a respectable gourd being produced. It has been under attack by @#$%$%^** squash bugs. No big deal, I have been doing daily egg squashing and a dose of Pyrethrin when needed. Been doing this most of the summer, and the plant up to this point was picture perfect. Today some of the leaves were wilting like it was hit with a strong herbicide. The stalks looked normal, and the underside didn't have anything notable. The plant is in-between a couple of tomatoes and some herbs. They don't show any signs of stress. Just for some background info. We were a produce farm operation and was, for a while, certified organic per the Iowa IDALS. So have a little knowledge of stuff that happens to veggies. Also I know it's a little anal to spend time on a volunteer pumpkin plant. I enjoy my plants now, and treat them like friends, so not a use them and not appreciate what they are doing for me. My garden has milkweed in places, if they are not bothering any thing, so be it, I have had a few Monarchs that have appreciated a temp home. I do have a concern that I have 8 butternut squash plants that are very important to me, that are a bout 50 feet from the pumpkin. If something is attacking the pumpkin, then maybe it might go after the butternuts. I attached a couple of photos of the pumpkin.

Story County Iowa

Expert Response

Good morning,

I shared your question and photos with our horticulture specialist and here was their response:

They should check very closely for squash vine borer. For the symptoms this is most likely. https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/encyclopedia/squash-vine-borer?fbclid=IwcGRvZgVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFaNGc0RjFFSWZrODI5Z1dpc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkgPJka53JM2vOJcYes99WIrPL5fb6i3AsjeIG50JEwSPxPXb6kezDm1QE9o_aem_12ou9aYhqLvBKDwd7IyXlw
nThis is posted in Plant Sleuths

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From: ask=<personal data hidden> on behalf of Ask Extension
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2026 12:06 PM
To: Answer Line
Subject: Question assigned to you (#0210952)
 

Hi Answer,

Question #0210952 has been assigned to you by SYSTEM (Auto Assignment)

Pumpkin leaves suddenly dying

I have a volunteer pumpkin, 3rd generation, that has been doing wonderfully. Big lush leaves and a respectable gourd being produced. It has been under attack by @#$%$%^** squash bugs. No big deal, I have been doing daily egg squashing and a dose of Pyrethrin when needed. Been doing this most of the summer, and the plant up to this point was picture perfect. Today some of the leaves were wilting like it was hit with a strong herbicide. The stalks looked normal, and the underside didn't have anything notable. The plant is in-between a couple of tomatoes and some herbs. They don't show any signs of stress. Just for some background info. We were a produce farm operation and was, for a while, certified organic per the Iowa IDALS. So have a little knowledge of stuff that happens to veggies. Also I know it's a little anal to spend time on a volunteer pumpkin plant. I enjoy my plants now, and treat them like friends, so not a use them and not appreciate what they are doing for me. My garden has milkweed in places, if they are not bothering any thing, so be it, I have had a few Monarchs that have appreciated a temp home. I do have a concern that I have 8 butternut squash plants that are very important to me, that are a bout 50 feet from the pumpkin. If something is attacking the pumpkin, then maybe it might go after the butternuts. I attached a couple of photos of the pumpkin.

From: kablackledge
Submitted: 07/30/2026 1:06 PM


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