Squash Vine Borer larva

Natural Habitat

Gardens and agricultural areas where cucurbit plants (squash, pumpkin, gourds, some melons) are grown.

Diet & Feeding

The larvae are borers, feeding internally on the stems of cucurbit plants, causing wilting and eventual death of the plant.

Behavior Patterns

Adult moths lay eggs near the base of cucurbit plants. Upon hatching, the larvae bore into the stems to feed. They spend most of their larval stage inside the plant stem, which makes them difficult to detect and control. After feeding, they exit the plant to pupate in the soil.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks: Significant pest of cucurbit crops, capable of causing severe damage and yield loss in gardens and farms. They specifically target the stems, leading to plant collapse. There are no known benefits.

Identified on: 9/14/2025