MELONWORM,
Diaphania hyalinata
(Linnaeus)
Description
Picture
Damage
adult moths have velvety black wing margins with lighter, pearly-white areas
larval stages have two dorsal white stripes running the length of the body
otherwise, they resemble the pickleworm
larvae can grow 1 1/4 inches long
Photo credit: Extension Entomology, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University
larvae feed on foliage rather than blossoms before they tunnel into stems and fruits
similar to pickleworm
most abundant on late squash
Photo credit: Extension Entomology, Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University