{"id":8549,"date":"2021-08-26T10:40:52","date_gmt":"2021-08-26T14:40:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturalcrooks.com\/rambles\/?p=8549"},"modified":"2021-08-24T19:41:06","modified_gmt":"2021-08-24T23:41:06","slug":"squash-stem-borer-moth-ugly-black-orange-fuzzy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturalcrooks.com\/rambles\/squash-stem-borer-moth-ugly-black-orange-fuzzy\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is This Ugly Fuzzy Legged Orange and Black Moth Flying Insect?"},"content":{"rendered":"

I keep an eye open for interesting insects on my rambles and many like to visit Common Milkweed blossoms. So when I noticed late-blooming milkweed along the shore of Lake Ontario at Jack Darling Memorial Park in Mississauga on August 4, I slowed down to inspect the flowers. The usual bees and some butterflies were at work when suddenly a large, black and orange fuzzy-looking insect flew in. It was the ugliest orange and black moth with fuzzy legs and black wings that I have ever seen.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a><\/p>\n

What Moth Has Black Wings, Orange Spots, and Strange Black and Fuzzy Legs?<\/h2>\n

When I first saw the insect, I mistakenly thought it was a Grapeleaf Skeletonizer <\/span> Moth. There are lots of wild Riverbank grape vines in Mississauga. I’ve even seen the caterpillars of these moths.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>
\nGrapeleaf Skeletonizer moths also have black wings like this Squash Vine Borer Moth.<\/em><\/p>\n

This wasn’t one, though. This was actually a Squash Vine Borer Moth (also called the Squash Stem Borer Moth.) They are a very unwelcome sight to those who love growing zucchini, squashes, pumpkins and some gourds.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a><\/p>\n

How Hard Are Squash Vine Borer Moths to Control?<\/h2>\n

\"Photo<\/a>
\nWhen feeding the insect often hovered.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

According to various garden websites, the caterpillars of these moths are a real menace to squash family plants. The caterpillars live and eat inside<\/strong> the stems of the vines, causing a whole long stem to die. Because they are not on the outside of the plant, it is almost impossible to kill them easily without also killing the plant.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>
\nThese moths have 2 very fuzzy black-fringed hind legs. They look almost as thick as the abdomen. Frankly, I think they looked pretty ugly.<\/em><\/p>\n

If I’d known they were hard to control and very damaging to vegetable garden squash plants, I might have tried to capture and kill the one I saw.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n