| Diaphania hyalinata | |
|---|---|
| Adult | |
| Larva | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Crambidae |
| Genus: | Diaphania |
| Species: | D. hyalinata |
| Binomial name | |
| Diaphania hyalinata Linnaeus, 1767[1] |
|
| Synonyms | |
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The Melonworm Moth (Diaphania hyalinata) is a moth of the Crambidae family. It is found in eastern North America[2], south to Central and South America and the Caribbean.[3]
The wingspan is 27-30 mm. The wings are pearly white centrally, and slightly iridescent, but are edged with a broad band of dark brown. Adults are on wing from October to November in the northern part of the range and all year round in multiple generations in Florida and further south.
The larvae feed on various plants in the cucumber family, including cucumber, melon and squash. They construct a loose silken structure under the leaves of their host plant.