Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) was detected in 160 suspected pumpkin virus samples in Changsha area, and the detection rate was 46.9%. To further clarify the classification and molecular evolution of ZYMV Changsha isolates, the coat protein gene was cloned and compared with the ZYMV coat protein gene reported in GenBank. And these sequences were analyzed for genetic recombination, phylogenetic, genetic differences, selection pressure, population structure and gene drift analysis. The results showed that no significant recombination of ZYMV coat protein gene was found. Mutation and negative selection are the main driving forces of its evolution, the population structure is relatively stable but is in the trend of expansion. The different isolates of ZYMV coat protein gene form 3 geographically relevant populations: America population, Europe population and Asia population. There is no frequent gene exchange between America and Europe and Asia, and each group may be affected by genetic drift, and gene exchange between Europe and Asia is more frequent.