Squash Vine Borer, Melittia cucurbitae (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidaae)

1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Klun ◽  
M. Schwarz ◽  
B. A. Leonhardt ◽  
W. W. Cantelo

Analysis of ovipositor extracts of the squash vine borer Melittia cucurbitae showed that a major component in the extracts was (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadien-l-ol acetate along with traces of (Z,Z)-and (Z,E)-isomers. The extracts probably also contained (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadien-l-ol, geometrical isomers of 3,13-octadecadien-l-ol acetate, (Z)-9-hexadecen-l-ol, (Z)-9-hexadecen-l-ol acetate, (Z)-11-hexadecen-l-ol acetate, hexadecan-l-ol acetate, (Z)-13-octadecen-l-ol acetate, and (Z)-13-octadecen-l-ol. Trapping tests with permutations of these compounds showed that a binary mixture of (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadien-l-ol acetate and (Z,Z)-3,13-octadecadien-l-ol acetate (99.7:0.3) was required to effectively cause capture of males. The binary mixture proved to be more effective as a lure for squash vine borer males than (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadien-l-ol acetate alone. Thus, behavioral evidence indicated that a 2,13- plus 3,13-isomeric combination of octadecadien-l-ol acetates quite likely is a natural element in the female sex pheromone of this moth. Physical chemical evidence for the 3,13 isomer in the female extracts was equivocal because its purported occurrence was at a trace level and absolute verification of the compound's structure was not possible.


Check List ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diones Krinski

Melittia cucurbitae (Harris, 1828) is a very important pest of squash and pumpkins. To date, this lepidopteran had its distribution reported for eastern United States, southeastern Canada, and Mexico. Our study reports for the first time the occurrence of squash vine borer, M. cucurbitae for South America, being the first record to Brazil, in southwest region of Pará state.


2008 ◽  
pp. 3533-3536
Author(s):  
John B. Heppner ◽  
David B. Richman ◽  
Steven E. Naranjo ◽  
Dale Habeck ◽  
Christopher Asaro ◽  
...  

1881 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 156-156
Author(s):  
Herman Strecker

Trochilium Grande, n. p.—General appearance of T. Ceto (Melittia Cucurbitæ Harr.) but very much larger, expanding 1¾ inches.Antennæ blackish. Palpi reddish orange. Head white in front, dark lustrous greenish gray on top. Collar red. Thorax above dark greenish same as top of head. Abdomen red, each segment outwardly edged with black.


2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abby J. Seaman ◽  
Holly Lange ◽  
Anthony M. Shelton

1991 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendell J. Snow ◽  
D. T. Johnson ◽  
J. R. Meyer

The Grape Root Borer, Vitacea polistiformis (Harris), (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae) was trapped during 1985, 1986, and 1987 in seven, nine, and 13 eastern states, respectively, with pure (E,Z)-2,13 octadecadienyl acetate or a 99:1 blend of (E,Z)-2,13 octadecadienyl acetate and (Z,Z)-3,13 Octadecadienyl acetate. The length of adult activity periods ranged from six months in Florida to two or three months in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Ohio. Bimodal peaks of activity occurred most commonly in the South, and single peaks were most common in the North. Activity usually began in all states (except Central Florida) in June or early July, with principal activity occurring in August in the extreme South, in late July in the central states, and about the first of July in the northern states. In Central Florida, flight began in late July with principal activity in September. Twelve other species of sesiid moths were also collected with the sex attractant, including large numbers of Melittia cucurbitae (Harris), Paranthrene simulans (Grote), and Paranthrene asilipennis (Boisduval).


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