![]() pepo (summer squash, zucchini, pumpkin) and C. Occasionally larvae will bore into fruit of hard squash and pumpkins this most commonly occurs when a second generation of moths are laying eggs late in the summer when fruit is present. Smaller plantings often suffer more injury and damage than extensive plantings because eggs are concentrated on fewer plants. Larval feeding within vines causes leaf stems to wilt and collapse, reducing fruit yields, and can even sever a plant from its roots. Yields of summer squash can be reduced by 1/3 if infestations exceed 5 larvae per plant. Preferred hosts have thick stems, while thin stemmed squashes tend to be more resistant to attack. Spring or fall plowing buries pupae deep in the soil and reduces survival of overwintering populations. The pupae survive the winter 1 or 2” deep in the soil. They remain in the soil until the following spring, or may hatch as adults for a second flight in late summer. Within hours of hatching, the larvae bore into stems, where they feed for 4-6 weeks before exiting to drop into soil, spin a brown cocoon, and pupate not far below the surface. ![]() ![]() The large cream-colored larvae are 1 to 1 1/2” long and 3/8” wide. Each female can lay 150-200 eggs. Eggs are oval, redish brown in color, and glued to the stem or petiole. Moths usually fly for a couple of weeks before beginning to lay eggs, and their lifecycle lasts about 60 days. A second generation in late August has been indicated by trap captures in seasons with particularly high degree day accumulation. There are 1 to 2 generations each year and adults emerge in late June/early July. These clearwing moths are so called because of their transparent hind wings that, when in flight, make them look like wasps. Squash vine borer moths are day-flying ‘clear wing’ moths with a 1.0 to 1.5 inch wingspan, black forewings, clear hind wings, and a bright orange abdomen.
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