Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540
Eichlinia gloriosa
This record describes Eichlinia gloriosa (species). Recorded family: Sesiidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Male & Female both: Melittia gloriosa Hy. Edwards Det. R. S. Fleischer
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Cossoidea
- Family
- Sesiidae (Clearwing Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sesiinae
- Tribe
- Melittiini
- Genus
- Eichlinia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Kansas south to western Texas, west through New Mexico and Arizona southern California and the coastal islands, north to central Oregon. Type Locality: San Leandro, Alameda Co., CA
Seasonal Activity
Mostly: Aug-Sept (Full: Jul-Oct) (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae bore in the large tubers of various cucurbitaceous plants.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eichlinia gloriosa. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Eric R. Eaton; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , ceiseman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540
What is Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540?
Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540 (Eichlinia gloriosa) is a species in the family Sesiidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540?
Wingspan 15-28 mm. Females average larger.
How do you identify Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540?
Male & Female both: Melittia gloriosa Hy. Edwards Det. R. S. Fleischer
Where is Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540 found?
Range: Kansas south to western Texas, west through New Mexico and Arizona southern California and the coastal islands, north to central Oregon. Type Locality: San Leandro, Alameda Co., CA
What does Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540 eat?
The diet of the Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540 includes Larvae bore in the large tubers of various cucurbitaceous plants..
When is Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540 active?
Glorious Squash Vine Borer - Hodges#2540: seasonal activity - Mostly: Aug-Sept (Full: Jul-Oct) (BG data).