CHEWING INSECTS

INSECTS THAT EAT FOLIAGE AND/OR FRUITS OF PLANTS LEAVING VISIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGE

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



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    Last modified: March 30, 1998