What kind of bug eats/makes the inside of the watermelon VINE and makes it hollow. So far I only lost one plant(still have 7 left) I have not seen any bugs of any kind (except for the occassional fire ant, unless this is the evil do-er) but I have found chewed piles of the inside of the vine on the soil.

Nothing I have read on watermelon pests describe what has happened.

Ideas are very much appreciated.

Thanks

Your plants sure do have a way of attracting all kinds of nasty pests - some I never heard of LOL.
You found "chewed piles of the inside of the vine on soil"??? Now, that's a new one LOL. I gotta ask...how'd you know they were the chewed up insides of vines? You are very observant....I woulda missed that.

Could only think about beetles and their nasty relatives. Japanese beetles love cucurbits including watermelons. Vines of cucurbits and watermelons are naturally hollow.

Yes, they are hollow however, when I cut the vine it was a thin as paper (maybe thinner). So even though healthy vine is hollow there is a signifigant difference between the healthy and the dead one.

This is what It looked like on April 23rd. The vine growing to the left is the one I lost.



This it today. It really has grown alot, even with the loss if that one plant. I have added the string about a week ago to keep it off of the soil. It has done better since I have done this, as far as losing parts due to touching the moist soil. The very top and to the right are actulaay growing on the cement. I had to move it back so it wouldn't wrap itself around the grass and the aloe plant.





Thanks

Could this be your problem?

http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/entfacts/veg/ef314.htm

Disney, that "sawdust- like frass at base of plant" must be what you were referring to as "chewed piles" huh? I think Ned hit the nail on the head here. Nice going Ned! Man, those are some UGLY looking things. Reminds me of Iris boarers I find in my Iris tubers. YUK
Ihave bugs the last 3 years in yard that I've never seen before, & there are more every year. They look similar to the squash bug - 3rd pic down in Ned's link, except it has brite orange markings/lines on sides...easy to spot. about 1/2 inch long. If I can get a good close up, I'll post it.
Last summer my neighbor said they were all over his yard - once, as he was talking on phone, they were all over his arm! Freaked him out. He said neighbor next to him had a bunch in his yard the yr before. Looks like there'll be a bunch moving to my yard this summer..if this is the pattern of these 'guys'.

They are a problem here with squash, cucumber and watermelons and related crops. I am sure they are also a problem in Florida. They can be very difficult to control.

I haven't had a vegetable garden in years, so I don't know what is currently recommended. Your county agent might help. Stan grows watermelons on his farm, but he most likely uses a restricted pesticide.

Ned

They would make wonderful baits for fishing. If you were nearby, I would grab some.

Joe,

Catalpa worms use to be the number 1 fishing worm (caterpiller) hereabouts! Great for blue gill, cat fish, etc.. I like the "bite their head off and turn um inside out" method. Years ago, many yards in SC (and I am sure other SE states) had a catalpa tree or two in the yard. I don't fish in fresh water anymore, but I assume catalpa trees are still around.

http://www.catalpaworms.com/