Adults may sit on the leaves of squash early in the morning. Larvae can be dissected from infested vines. Pupae form in earthen cells in the soil which may be found when the garden is tilled. There are probably two broods in Texas. Caterpillars have chewing mouthparts.
Adults have siphoning mouths.
They feed almost exclusively in squash and closely related wild plants. They may attack a few related plants like melons and cucumbers on occasion. Larvae are borers and tunnel inside the stems, causing considerable damage to squash. For additional information, contact your local Texas extension service agent, or search for other state extension service offices. Swan and Papp 1978.