Squash Vine Borer Moth

Wow! Nectaring on common milkweed, this moth is just a little bigger than a Western Honeybee.
Have you ever seen one? I never had until Friday.
You might know them from your zucchinis. The caterpillars of Melitta curcurbitae love to eat summer and winter squashes, but if this is your reward, perhaps a little homage is in order?

Note the clear hind wings. There are several other clearwing borers in the family Sesiidae. They’re diurnal bee/wasp mimics.

Also found flying during the day are the two clearwing sphinx moths in the family Sphingidae: Hummingbird Clearwing and the Snowberry Clearwing.

2 Responses to “Squash Vine Borer Moth”


  1. 1 Chuck McAlexander June 30, 2020 at 6:50 pm

    Gorgeous bug! Hope to see one some day. What does the caterpillar look like?


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