is this a pretty predator or pretty pest?

celerystalksmidnite · April 27, 2012

Anyone know what this is?

I found a couple of these on my squash plants. I moved one to my tomato plant in the hopes that this thing eats leaf footed bug nymphs, as I'm seeing a few of those. Any chance it'll eat the nymphs?

saltmarsh · April 27, 2012

I think you have a nice picture of a squash vine borer moth.

celerystalksmidnite · April 27, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltmarsh

I think you have a nice picture of a squash vine borer moth.

And I caught him and let him go? bahahahaha! Thanks for the ID.

tjg911 · April 28, 2012

i've seen them with wings open never like this. it is obviously a moth, look at the feathery antennae, won't be eating any pests. svb are nocturnal tho so how did you see it in the daytime, i'd think they hide in the day not sit out in plain view for a bird to make them into a meal?

tom

celerystalksmidnite · April 29, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjg911

i've seen them with wings open never like this. it is obviously a moth, look at the feathery antennae, won't be eating any pests. svb are nocturnal tho so how did you see it in the daytime, i'd think they hide in the day not sit out in plain view for a bird to make them into a meal?

tom

I don't know anything about them. The info I turned up from Google said they are not nocturnal, thus it made sense I encountered them during the day. Maybe there are different species that behave differently in different parts of the country?

ScottinAtlanta · April 29, 2012

I have seen 3 or 4 in the early afternoon in Atlanta this year. They seem to be emerging in large numbers. They are the Spawn of Satan. If you enlarge a photo of their eye, you will see the fires of hell burning deep inside.

sfmathews · April 27, 2012

You had better start looking for SVB eggs ASAP and squash 'em!

Kazfam · May 10, 2012

Squash Vine Borer Moth - active by day during summer and fall - look and act like wasps.

Mature caterpillar are white with brown heads. Caterpillars bore into the stems of plants in the squash family to feed on pith.

(Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America)

saltmarsh · June 3, 2012

Thumping works and is quite enjoyable.

I saw my first Squash Vine Borer today. It was sitting on a squash leaf, so I went over to say hello. Thumped her with my middle finger, but I'm sure my index finger would have done just as well. Then I finished it off with a size 11 1/2 brogan. It was so much fun, I think I'll look for more.

mysidx · June 3, 2012

I don't have any of those thank goodness, this year Assassin bugs and dragonflies have really helped with the other pests. I did really well keeping the leaf miners at bay, but now they have taken over.

April 27, 2012	#1
celerystalksmidnite Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: SE Texas Zone 8 Posts: 101	is this a pretty predator or pretty pest? Anyone know what this is? I found a couple of these on my squash plants. I moved one to my tomato plant in the hopes that this thing eats leaf footed bug nymphs, as I'm seeing a few of those. Any chance it'll eat the nymphs? __________________ MCB

April 28, 2012	#4
tjg911 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: zone 5b northwest connecticut Posts: 2,570	i've seen them with wings open never like this. it is obviously a moth, look at the feathery antennae, won't be eating any pests. svb are nocturnal tho so how did you see it in the daytime, i'd think they hide in the day not sit out in plain view for a bird to make them into a meal? tom __________________ I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the end of the night He’s gotta be strong And he’s gotta be fast And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight I need a hero I’m holding out for a hero ‘til the morning light He’s gotta be sure And it’s gotta be soon And he’s gotta be larger than life

June 3, 2012	#10
mysidx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Baton Rouge,Louisiana Zone 8b Posts: 340	I don't have any of those thank goodness, this year Assassin bugs and dragonflies have really helped with the other pests. I did really well keeping the leaf miners at bay, but now they have taken over. __________________ Rob

April 27, 2012	#2
saltmarsh Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: 2 miles south of Yoknapatawpha Zone 7b Posts: 662	I think you have a nice picture of a squash vine borer moth.

April 29, 2012	#6
ScottinAtlanta Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,593	I have seen 3 or 4 in the early afternoon in Atlanta this year. They seem to be emerging in large numbers. They are the Spawn of Satan. If you enlarge a photo of their eye, you will see the fires of hell burning deep inside.

April 27, 2012	#7
sfmathews Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 398	You had better start looking for SVB eggs ASAP and squash 'em!

May 10, 2012	#8
Kazfam Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 113	Squash Vine Borer Moth - active by day during summer and fall - look and act like wasps. Mature caterpillar are white with brown heads. Caterpillars bore into the stems of plants in the squash family to feed on pith. (Field Guide to Insects and Spiders of North America)