Squash Vine Borer

I wasn’t even sure this was a moth or a wasp-or-hornet given its coloring, but it didn’t take long to find a related species in my field guide. (The species in the field guide doesn’t come this far east, so I had to find this one online at BugGuide and BAMONA.) I expect it to be “Melittia cucurbitae.” A “species first” for me. Clearly I need a shutter speed less than 1/400 to “freeze” these wings!

Confirmed at BAMONA as “Melittia cucurbitae” or “Squash Vine Borer”; http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/1003392

1 year ago (“So much blue!”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-08-04
2 years ago (“‘House rules’ definitely apply”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-08-04
3 years ago (“August abstract #1: Textured-red”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-08-04

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4th August 2014 4th Aug 14