Squash mosaic virus

Squash mosaic virus (SqMV) is a plant pathogenic virus of the family Comoviridae. It is a seed-borne virus in melons and is transmitted by the cucumber beetle vector.

Symptoms
Symptoms consist of a pronounced chlorotic mottle, green veinbanding, and distortion of leaves of young seedlings. On mature plants, leaves show intense dark green mosaic, blistering, and hardening, suggestive of a hormonal herbicide effect. Infected fruit coming from such plants show a strong mottled pattern with a lack of netting on melons.

Control
Control measures include selection of disease-free seed and cucumber beetle control.