Looks like The Bore(g) (SVB)to me. Resistance is futile. Sorry it had to happen to you, but it happens to the best of us. But of course i could be wrong and it could be something entirely different.

I agree. That devastation is usually the result of Squash Vine Borers.

Next year you can use Bt, diligent visual inspection of the vines, and surgery to keep them under control.

For this year, you can use the immature winter squash as if they were summer squash. And inspect your other squash vines for signs of a continuing invasion so you can intervene with Bt and surgery.

Does this happen to cukes too? I just pulled mine up and they looked the same. Regular watering and lots of sun didn't help. My kids were really looking forward to pickles this year. boo hoo.

I'm planting pole beans in their place, I think.

Marcy

No, cucumbers will die suddenly but it is usually due to bacterial wilt spread by cucumber beetles. Never had SVB attack anything but squash and then primarily C.pepo and C. maxima cultivars.

Slit the dead plants at the base, then look up and down the main branches, about 5 inches in each direction (cut the vine with a cut across, then open the vine with a slit along the branch), though if you find anything it will be likely in the first two inches. See any grubs in there? That is the dreaded SVB, scourge of us all, most wanted fugitive, and not covered by the Geneva Convention. For the immature pumpkins, see if you know anybody with chickens or pigs.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'll check the stems for the borer. I was thinking it was something else since both vines died at the same time.

Thanks again,
Bart