Gardening is one of the most rewarding yet frustrating things you can do! I don’t know what else could be damaging your Opo. I had borers one year, but finally quit growing squash all together because I couldn’t deal with the squash bugs any more.
As an aside, one of the most ‘fun’ things I’ve done regarding damaging pests was to hunt tomato hornworms with a black light - spooky with the garden in purple, but a great way to spot them.
Heh - thanks for that last: I picked up a higher power UV flashlight on clearance from Menards recently. It was one of their online blowouts. (Fulfillment Center deals.) Some of those blowouts turn out to be junk or even don’t work (the former for some headphones I prolly ought to try to return, the latter for a USB car charger - might just be a cable - gotta test again). But, a lot are good deals. This UV flashlight has a LOT higher output than any I’ve had B4. A headlamp version would be great for hunting hornworms! They are great fishing bait, too!
The piercing type squash bugs I can zap with herbicide (or “pick and squash” - just did that to a few yesterday on an “Asian Squash” plant), but vine borers would be tougher - pending further suggestions here. Unlike the stink bugs and other external attackers, I’ve never seen any of the flies themselves, so I can only guess when they are “out” in my area. Possibly my local extension agent would have info.
Thanks again!