BUG chews bloom off Luffa plant

Last year (and now this year) there is a bug that chews the stem just behind the blooms of my Luffa squash. It’s not just a bloom falling off. I’ve seen the bug, smashed one as I tried to gather him. Haven’t been able to catch any more. I see one now and then. It looks like an ant with 2 sets of wings. Lobes at the end of the top wings… (is not a termite). The wings are black and clear lace, has a mouth like a Finch bird. Now it’s started again. These are tender plants and can’t seem to handle sprays like Malathion and Sevin liquid and dust. I’m using Diatamatious Earth (but, of course, it’s washed off in the rain). I tried putting VASELINE where he chews behind the blooms last year, but the plant doesn’t like it. I lost the bloom anyway. HELP!

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1 Comment To "BUG chews bloom off Luffa plant"

#1 Comment By Downtoearthdigs On 06/10/2016 @ 10:02 pm

Neem Oil is a good treatment for most pests.
Neem Oil is organic, safe for people, pets and bees.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm ^[1]

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