Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Pyralid and Crambid Snout Moths (Pyraloidea) » Crambid Snout Moths (Crambidae) » Spilomelinae » Margaroniini » Diaphania » Cucumber Moth - Hodges#5207 (Diaphania indica)
Photo#815395
Cucumber moth - Diaphania indica
Copyright © 2013 Karen Anthonisen Finch

Cucumber moth - Diaphania indica
Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida, USA
July 28, 2013
The caterpillar of this moth was noticed on Wild Balsam Apple vine. I raised it out of curiosity. The extreme tiny size made it a challenge, as it would have been easy to lose it among the leaves. It was quick to warm up even after chilled, hence the angle of the adult photo was the best I could manage.

Images of this individual: tag all
Cucumber moth - Diaphania indica Melonworm moth - Diaphania indica Melonworm moth - Diaphania indica Melonworm moth - Diaphania indica Melonworm moth - Diaphania indica Melonworm moth - Diaphania indica
Contributed by Karen Anthonisen Finch on 1 August, 2013 - 8:21am
Last updated 28 March, 2017 - 5:41am

Moved to Diaphania indica
Moved from Diaphania.

ID based on mostly white abdomen and white patch on forewing smaller than that of D. hyalinata with outer edge sinuous.

What species is "Wild Balsam Apple"? Several species have that name.
… Steve Nanz, 12 October, 2016 - 8:11am

I think so
That looks exactly like a Melonworm moth to me.
… Ert1, 1 August, 2013 - 8:32am

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Need to look at notes. FL has several very similar species. Genus for now.
Nice series!
… Maury J. Heiman, 1 August, 2013 - 8:31am

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2025 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo