Erwinia tracheiphila
Bacterial disease of cucurbits transmitted by cucumber beetles. Causes rapid wilting and plant death with no recovery.
Sudden wilting of individual leaves or runners, progressing to entire plant. Wilting does not recover overnight. Cut stems exude sticky bacterial ooze.
Bacterium transmitted by striped and spotted cucumber beetles. Bacteria overwinter in beetle gut.
Cucumber beetles feeding on plants introduce bacteria through wounds. Bacteria multiply in vascular system, blocking water flow.
Presence of cucumber beetles. Warm weather. Susceptible cucurbit varieties.
Control cucumber beetles aggressively. Use row covers until flowering. Plant resistant varieties (butternut squash is resistant). Remove infected plants promptly.