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Help? Yellow spots on squash #753831

Asked June 03, 2021, 5:05 PM EDT

Hi there! My yellow squash has developed the yellow spots you’ll see in the photo. They aren’t raised and there are no holes to indicate pests.

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question.  Spots such as these are typically caused by sucking insects which live on the underside of the leaves.  Could you please check to see if there are any there?  They may be very small.  Thanks!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 04, 2021, 11:33 AM EDT
Received From: Jessica Giannettino <<personal data hidden>>



I looked and looked and couldn’t find any. Should I just treat it with neem oil in case? Thanks so much!

On Fri, Jun 4, 2021 at 8:33 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 04, 2021, 12:25 PM EDT

Thanks, Jessica!  I think your plant has a virus called cucumber mosaic virus, which is carried to the plants by aphids, which may have been there but are now either gone or too small to be seen.  I don't see the downward turning leaves, but it may be on other ones not in the photo.  This is an article with photos of them, with control recommendations:  Cucumber-Aphid | Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks (pnwhandbooks.org) Here is an OSU publication on the virus disease:  Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)-Virus Diseases | Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks (pnwhandbooks.org)

I suggest you heed the article's advice, and remove any leaves with this yellowing, and destroy them.  Check your plants often.  Neem oil only works if sprayed directly on the insect, which feeds on the underside of the leaf.  A strong stream of water blasting them off works just as well.  Hope this is helpful.  Good luck!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 04, 2021, 4:20 PM EDT
Gah! This bed is under my plum tree. The leaves look just like that. Should the treatment be the same for a tree?
On Fri, Jun 4, 2021 at 1:20 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied June 04, 2021, 4:34 PM EDT

Could you please send a closeup photo of the plum leaf?  There are viruses that attack them, but rust, a fungal infection, is a look alike, and needs different controls.  Thanks!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 04, 2021, 4:40 PM EDT

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