Melonworm - Diaphania hyalinata

It is time again for the Garden to prepare for the arrival of the very hungry little pest that will destroy cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, cantaloupe, and more.  The little caterpillars seem to get deposited at night and are easily found first thing in the morning inside of a folded leaf, carefully eating themselves through the initial stages of their life cycle.

Diaphania hyalinata

Melonworm 

Occurs throughout most of Central and South America and the Caribbean.

 

 

 Diaphania Indica 

Cucumber Moth or Cotton Caterpillar

Occurs in many tropical and subtropical regions outside the Americas..

I find it exceedingly difficult to tell them apart....but they are different.