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Populations of the squash vine borer, Melittia cucurbitae (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), were monitored using pheromone-baited traps in cucurbit fields at Clemson University, Clemson, SC, and at the United States Vegetable Laboratory (USVL), Charleston, SC, from 1997-2004. Male squash vine borer moths were first captured from mid May to early June at both locations. Adults were captured for the next 4-5 months until mid September at Clemson, and until late September to mid October at the USVL. There appears to be two widely overlapping generations of squash vine borers per year in South Carolina. Nine types of pheromone-baited traps were tested at the USVL, 2003-2004. A commercially available, small wire mesh Heliothis trap was the most effective trap for capturing male squash vine borer moths. A large (50-75 cm) Heliothis trap (Harstack trap) and a commercially available, collapsible nylon Heliothis trap were the second and third most effective traps. The universal moth trap (yellow funnel, white bottom, green top) also caught a significant number of male squash vine borer moths. The Multipher 3 trap, Pherocon 1C sticky trap, Japanese beetle trap, and boll weevil trap were not effective for monitoring male squash vine borer moths. The commercially available, small wire-cone trap baited with squash vine borer pheromone lure offers a practical monitoring technique for this pest species. |
