Squash Vine Borer Melittia cucurbitae (Harris) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Sesiidae)

Abstract

Squash vine borer is a moth species that is active during the day (diurnal). The larvae complete their growth and development on wild and domesticated species of the genus Cucurbita. Once only considered a nuisance to commercial growers, with the expansion of cucurbit production in the United States over the last decade, the squash vine borer has become a pest of economic importance. This 5-page fact sheet was written by Eutychus Kariuki and Jennifer L. Gillett-Kaufman, and published by the UF Department of Entomology and Nematology, December 2014. (Photo: Lyle J. Buss, UF/IFAS) Minor revision March 2020. EENY612/IN1068: Squash Vine Borer Melittia cucurbitae (Harris) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) (ufl.edu)

Keywords

• Family: Sesiidae (clearwing moths)
• Moths
• IN1068