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Insect pests on Cucurbitaceae

PictureScientific nameCommon nameDescription
Adult wirewormsAgriotes lineatusWirewormLarvae are up to 20 mm in length and have a shiny pale yellow color. Adults are flattened, elongate, brown or black beetles and 7-8 mm in length.
Agrotis ipsilonBlack cutwormLarvae hide during daytime in the soil. Young larvae feed on leaves, older larvae feed commonly on seedlings at ground level, sometimes cutting off the stem. When disturbed larvae curl up into a C-shape. They are dark brown or black in color. Adults are brown or gray with irregular spots and lighter hind wings.
Agrotis segetumTurnip mothLarvae are covered with long hairs and 1st instars have 3, 2nd instars between 6 and 10 prolegs. Fully grown larvae are 40-50 in length. Adults have a wingspan of approx. 40 mm and brown fore wings with a clear circular spot in the middle.
Anasa tristisSquash bugYoung nymphs are gregarious, green in color with dark legs and head. Adults are dark brown with gray in color and have a yellow underside. Often is the edge of the abdomen marked with gold and brown spots.
AphidsInsects vary in size from 2-4 mm. The color varies from green to black. Nymphs are without, adults with wings. They can vector several plant viruses. Leaves are curled and wrinkled, if infestation is severe plants may die.
Aphis gossypiiCotton aphidThey vector several viruses, e.g. cucumber mosaic virus, and watermelon virus. They range in color from yellow to very dark. The wingless female adults have pale legs and black tarsi.
Bemisia sp.White flyLarvae are tine (0.2-0.7 mm) scale-like insects. Adults are yellow/white. Feeding causes chlorotic spots on leaves.
Chrysodeixis eriosomaGreen semi looperYoung larvae feed on leave undersides making windows between the veins. Larval color varies depending from diet. They appear to have only 2 but have actually 3 prolegs. Adults have a bronze-white wings with two silvery white spots near the center of the forewings.
Crocidolomia pavonanaCabbage caterpillarYoung larvae feed on undersides of leaves, older larvae skeletonize complete leaves. Larvae are green-yellow in color, head and thorax are dark brown. Late instars are characterized by white longitudinal stripes. All abdominal segments have tubercles.
Delia sp.MaggotsLarvae feed in host plant roots. They are creamy-white maggots. Fully grown larvae can be up to 10 mm in length.
Diaphania hyalinataMelonwormLarvae have white stripes on the length of the body. Adult moths have black wing margins with lighter, pearly-white areas. Wingspan is about 25 mm.
Diaphania indicaCucumber mothThe cucumber moth can be distinguished from the melonworm by the absence of an extension for the brown marking on the forewing. First instars are transparent but change to green. Fully grown larvae are up to 25 mm in length. Adult moth have transparent white wings with a brown band around the edge.
Diaphania nitidalisPicklewormThe Pickleworm feeds on foliage and on fruits. Larvae are often colorless except for a black spot on each side of the head. The adult moth has a pale yellow spot near the center of each forewing. On the white-tipped abdomen are dark brush-like hairs.
EpilachnabeetlesPests are scrapping the lower epidermal cells between the leaf veins away. Larvae are yellow in color, and covered with long spines. Adults are 6-8 mm long with typical oval ladybird shape. Color is variable, but generally adults are brown with black spots on the elytra.
Helicoverpa armigeraTomato fruitworm1st and 2nd larvae are yellow-white in color with dark legs. Color is extremely variable in older larvae. Adults have a wingspan of 35-40 cm, and a length of 14-18 mm. Damage differs by host species. The tomato fruitworm is polyphagous and older larvae may bore into pods and consume seeds.
-MealybugsScale insects, have often a symbiotic relationship with ants. Adults have glossy white wax threads extend from the body.
Nezara viridulaGreen stink bugSpecies vary in color, but green is predominat. The first 3 instars form clusters. Adults are 8 x 15 mm in size. Feeding punctures provide access for infection by bacteria and fungus.
- no photo available -Spodoptera exiguaBeet armywormYoung larvae commonly feed on the under surface of leaves, leaving the upper epidermis and larger veins intact. They are light green to dark brown with longitudinal stripes. Adults are 10-15 mm long with a wingspan of 25 mm.
Spodoptera lituraArmywormEggs are laid in clusters of several hundred. Larvae are hairless and variable in color. They have longitudinal bands and two dark spots laterally on each segment.
Thrips palmiMelon thripsAdults have slender wings, which are fringed with long hairs. They are pale yellow in color. Leaves turn silvery or bronze, sometimes yellow by feeding.
Trichoplusia niCabbage looperYoung larvae are initially white, but become later pale green. They have a light stripe down each side. They grow 4 cm in length. The caterpillar moves with a characteristic "looping" motion. Adults are 25 mm long, gray-brown with a wingspan of 33 to 38 mm.
PictureScientific nameCommon nameDescription