Terrifying Orange Hornet(?)
October 8, 2009
Hi Bugman-
I spotted two of these orange flyers today in my backyard garden in Austin, Texas. They were buzzing around my zucchini plant(hopefully pollinating it in the process). They seemed a lot more interested in the plant than in me, yet due to my wildly irrational fear of stinging insects, I was petrified. I only managed to get a few shots before the buzzed away for good. I tried to identify them online but haven’t had any luck. Any idea on the species?
John
Austin, Texas
Squash Vine Borer
Hi John,
This is not a hornet. It is a moth that mimics a hornet for protection. It is a Squash Vine Borer, and the larvae will bore in the stems of squash and pumpkin vines, causing the plants to wither.
Squash Vine Borer
Thank you so much for the heads up. Before I had only heard of the Squash Bug as a pest to look out for around my squash vine. After I got your email, I read up on the Vine Borer, went out in the garden and saw the telltale signs that of the borers inside. I did some surgery with a knife and tweezers and pulled out a big fat borer larva…it’s a fairly small plant so I’m hoping it was the only one. Thank you so much for your help, you’re a lifesaver! -John
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Posted 08 October 2009
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Euhagena
September 27, 2009
Hi Lisa Anne and Daniel, over the past two weeks I have sporadically been observing a group of these Euhagena nebraskae. The area I’m seeing them is well-known to me and little or none of their reported larval food (Oenothera) grows there. I did follow a female who I believe was ovipositing and collected what may be her egg from an Helianthus she tapped her abdomen against. Am just wondering if any of your readers have had similar observations.
Thanks,
Dwaine
near Casper, WY
Euhagena nebraskae
Hi Dwaine,
We can always count on you to provide our website with excellent photos of underrepresented species. This Clearwing Moth has larvae that are root borers in plants belonging to the primrose family as you have indicated. Often the larval food plant information posted online is incomplete, and it is possible the Euhagena nebraskae uses plants in the sunflower family when primrose is not available. We will post your letter and awesome images in the hope that our readership can elaborate on your observations.
Euhagena nebraskae
How fortuitous that you were also able to photograph the sexually dimorphic male of the species. Are you able to clarify that our posting is correct?
Euhagena nebraskae male
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Posted 28 September 2009
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red moth?
August 20, 2009
Found this moth in house. Red body and legs, black tail with light blue dots.
Thank you Jeanette
Louisiana
- Scarlet Bodied Wasp Moth
Hi Jeanette,
Most people who write in requesting and identification of a Scarlet Bodied Wasp Moth, Cosmosoma myrodora, don’t realize it is a moth because it is such a convincing wasp mimic. According to BugGuide: “These moths display warning coloration, yet the caterpillars host on non-toxic Climbing Hempweed, Mikania scandens, (family Asteraceae), a weedy vine at field margins and roadsides that can completely obscure bushes and small trees. The adult male moth extracts toxins known as “pyrrolizidine alkaloids” from Dogfennel Eupatorium (Eupatorium capillifolium) and showers these toxins over the female prior to mating. This is the only insect known to transfer a chemical defense in this way.“
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Posted 21 August 2009
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What is this
August 9, 2009
Seen this winged insect sitting on an oak leaf, it looked like it had fur on its hind legs.
T. Dunn
N. Illinois
- Squash Vine Borer
Dear T. Dunn,
This is a Clearwing Moth in the family Sesiidae. This family is characterized by wasp mimicry of its members. Your moth is a Squash Vine Borer, Melittia cucurbitae. The larvae bore in the stems of squash, pumpkins and related plants.
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Posted 10 August 2009
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wasp mimic moth?
August 1, 2009
Hello fellow bug-nuts,
I’ve seen this moth on our central MN property several times. Maybe some sort of borer? I can’t ID it, and believe me, I’ve tried. Thanks many times for your terrific site!
Don D
St. Augusta, Central Minnesota
Virginia Creeper Clearwing
Hi Don,
Thanksfor the compliment. This is indeed a Wasp Mimic Moth in the family Sesiidae. We quickly identified it as the Virginia Creeper Clearwing, Albuna fraxini, on BugGuide. In addition to Virginia Creeper, the larvae bore into several types of ash trees.
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Posted 01 August 2009
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On my pumkin plants.
July 20, 2009
Took this pic July 16th. This guy didn’t seem very active, sat in this spot for about 2hrs. Preferred the shady side of the pumpkin leaves when he did move. I also have corn, hops, and gourds growing in the same area. It’s probably as common as dirt, but I can’t find it in my guides and now my curiosity is up. Thank you for your help
Lousy amatuer.
Squash Vine Borer
Chardon, Ohio
Dear LA (we just couldn’t bring ourselves to call you by your signed name),
This is a Squash Vine Borer, Melittia cucurbitae, a clearwing moth in the family Sesiidae. Moths in this family mimic wasps for protection. The Squash Vine Borer female lays her eggs on the stems of squash, pumpkin and gourds, and the larvae bore into the stems of the plant, often causing considerable damage and crop loss.
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Posted 20 July 2009
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Large, wasp-like insect
Tue, Dec 30, 2008 at 2:46 AM
I’ve worked at a summer camp near the Cascade Mountains in Washington for the last three years, and I’ve only seen this kind of insect once. There were two of them on the rocks near the pool, and neither moved at all, even when I went in for a close-up. I was particularly interested because of their size – if I remember right they were about twice the size of the European paper wasps we normally see around here.
Vector
Central Washington
Raspberry Crown Borer
Hi Vector,
This is one of the Wasp Mimic Clearwing Moths in the family Sesiidae. We believe it is the Raspberry Crown Borer, Pennisetia marginata, also called the Blackberry Crown Borer since it feeds on both plants. According to BugGuide: “larvae bore inside roots (stock and crown) of blackberry/raspberry (Rubus spp.) “
Raspberry Crown Borers
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Posted 30 December 2008
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