Pickleworm

Description: Pickleworm is a tropical insect and has been found widely dispersed throughout the island. Pickleworm moths are active only at night. They lay tiny eggs singly or in small clusters on buds, flowers, and other actively growing plant parts. Each moth can deposit 300 to 400 eggs. Young larvae are light-colored with many dark spots and are typically found in flower buds. Spotting fades as the caterpillar reaches the final fifth instar stage. Pupation usually occurs outside of fruit, on leaf surfaces and leaf folds. The adult moth is yellow and purplish.

Damage: Young pickleworm caterpillars tend to feed in blossoms, destroying the plants capacity to produce fruit. Caterpillars also tunnel into fruits leaving a distinct circular hole. In some instances, caterpillars will excrete frass outside of the tunnels, which provide additional evidence that the pest is feeding within the fruits.

• New Pest Advisory
• Plant Pest control activities highlighted in the  Hawaii Department of Agriculture Annual 2006 Report   beginning on page 27.