Sesiidae Activity Using Pheromone Lures 2021


This post is a summary of my first experience using lures to attract moths. S. sapygaeformis (Florida Oakgall Borer) was
by far the most common Sesiidae moth here with 80 observations in the fall and 3 observations in the spring. All of these
except one were observed at the Vivagrow Peachtree Borer Lure. Some of the specimens entered the trap but most of them
did not, having been observed buzzing around the trap without entering.

One observation of S. sapygaeformis was recorded at the Alpha Scents SYNEXI lure. The only other Alpha Scents lure
with positive results was the VITPOL lure with one recorded observation of V. polistiformis.

Two observations of M. calabaza were recorded in nectaring activity away from the lures.

The Vivagrow Peachtree Borer Lure is available from Amazon.com, others from AlphaScents.com.

S. sapygaeformis observation from 10/23/21 captured in trap:


Table of lures used in 2021 with recorded species:

Lure

Target Species

Date Lure Placed in Yard

Total # of observations

Observation Dates

Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure #1

Synanthedon sapygaeformis (1)

4/5/21 - 6/14/21

3

4/9/21 - 4/14/21

Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure #2

Synanthedon sapygaeformis

6/14/21 – 8/10/21

0

-

Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure #3

Synanthedon sapygaeformis

8/10/21 – 10/2/21

35

8/14/21 – 9/30/21

Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure #4

Synanthedon sapygaeformis

10/2/21 – 12/27/21

44

10/2/21 – 12/17/21

Alpha Scents SYNSCI  #1

Synanthedon scitula

4/25/21 – 5/25/21

0

-

Alpha Scents PODSYR

Podosesia syringae

5/22/21 – 6/22/21

0

-

Alpha Scents SYNPIC

Synanthedon pictipes

5/22/21 – 6/22/21

0

-

Alpha Scents VITPOL #1

Vitacea polistiformis

5/22/21 – 6/22/21

1

6/7/21

Alpha Scents MELCUC

Melittia cucurbitae

8/16/21 – 9/19/21

(2)

8/29/21 – 8/30/21

Alpha Scents SYNEXI

Synanthedon exitiosa

8/21/21 – 9/21/21

(3)

9/6/21

Alpha Scents SYNSCI  #2

Synanthedon scitula

9/12/21 – 10/15/21

0

-

Alpha Scents SACERN

Synanthedon acerni

9/19/21 – 10/26/21

0

-

Alpha Scents VITPOL #2

Vitacea polistiformis

9/21/21 – 10/31/21

0

-

Alpha Scents

PENMAR

Pennisetia marginatum

10/9/21 – 11/20/21

0

-

Alpha Scents

PODAUR

Podosesia aureocincta

10/9/21 – 11/20/21

0

-

Notes: 

  1. The Vivagrow Peachtree Borer lure targets six species of Sesiidae moths other than S. sapygaeformis.
    None of these were observed at this lure.
  2. Zero observations of M. cucurbitae.  Two observations of M. calabaza nectaring on flowers near the trap.
  3. Zero observations of S. exitiosa.  One observation of S. sapygaeformis captured in trap.
Posted on 05 January, 2022 03:21 by waystation1067 waystation1067

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

April 9, 2021 12:28 PM CDT

Description

These were small, about the size of a housefly I would say. Buzzing around pheremone lure that targets several species. Lure: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

April 10, 2021 02:14 PM CDT

Description

Same moth/species as a day earlier, this time posing for some still shots. Length ~9-10 mm. Lure: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

April 14, 2021 03:51 PM CDT

Description

Third and final recorded sighting from 4/9/21 to 4/14/21 with this lure. Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Grape Root Borer Moth (Vitacea polistiformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

June 7, 2021 05:14 PM CDT

Description

Best pics I could get. Subject made only a brief appearance and was very active. Lure: Alpha Scents VITPOL.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

August 15, 2021 01:07 PM CDT

Description

Lure: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

August 18, 2021 11:55 AM CDT

Description

One of three. Lure: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

August 23, 2021 01:09 PM CDT

Description

Lure: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

August 29, 2021 12:41 PM CDT

Description

One of three. Lure: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Southwestern Squash Vine Borer (Eichlinia calabaza)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

August 29, 2021 04:10 PM CDT

Description

On duranta.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

September 6, 2021 02:56 PM CDT

Description

Lure: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

September 6, 2021 02:45 PM CDT

Description

Attracted to SYNEXI lure from AlphaScents.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

September 17, 2021 01:10 PM CDT

Description

Lure: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

October 2, 2021 01:37 PM CDT

Description

Attracted to Viva lure. (Edit: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.)

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

September 12, 2021 11:53 AM CDT

Description

The lure is inside the trap, but I cut out a piece of the lure package and attached it to the trap as a label. Apparently there's enough scent left on the package to cause an attraction as well. Lure: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

October 23, 2021 03:27 PM CDT

Description

Daily sightings continue into late October. Two in the trap today. Lure: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

November 8, 2021 02:27 PM CST

Description

Back at the trap after a ten day absence due to cold spell. Two observed. Neither would go into the trap. This one was netted for photos & ID. Lure: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

December 16, 2021 12:15 PM CST

Description

This moth still shows up at the trap on warm days. Conditions: partly cloudy, breezy, 82F. Very active and wouldn't go into the trap so photo quality is rather poor. Lure: Vivagrow Peach Tree Borer Lure by ChemTica/AgBio.

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

August 20, 2021 11:53 AM CDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

August 21, 2021 01:43 PM CDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

August 22, 2021 12:52 PM CDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

August 24, 2021 12:16 PM CDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Florida Oakgall Borer Moth (Synanthedon sapygaeformis)

Observer

waystation1067

Date

August 28, 2021 01:48 PM CDT

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