Mosaic viruses on pumpkin
A group of cucurbit virus diseases (ZYMV, CMV, WMV) spread by aphids and mechanically. They cannot be cured — only prevention and removing infected plants count.
Symptom photos
Symptoms
- Mottled light- and dark-green clearing on the leaves
- Distorted, ragged leaf margins
- Blistered swellings and puckering of the leaves
- Misshapen fruit with lumpy, blotchy skin
- Dwarfing and shortened internodes
What it does to the crop
- Misshapen, unmarketable fruit
- Growth badly checked and a marked drop in yield
- No way to cure an infected plant
- Aphids spreading the virus through the whole crop
What encourages it
- Plentiful aphids around the crop
- Infected seed and weeds acting as a virus reservoir
- Mechanical spread on hands and tools
- Warm weather encouraging aphid flights
Prevention
- Control aphids as the virus vector
- Remove and destroy infected plants as soon as they are spotted
- Use seed from a reliable source and resistant varieties
- Wash hands and disinfect tools between plants
- Clear weeds from around the crop
⚠️ Before you reach for a spray
This atlas is informational and still growing — different diseases can look almost identical. Confirm the diagnosis and read the product label before applying any plant protection product. If you are unsure, ask your local extension or advisory service.
Keep the disease atlas with you in the garden
In the app you can identify a disease from photos, work out the spray dose for your own bed and log the treatment in your task calendar. Free, no sign-up, works offline.
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