. Cooperative economic insect report. Beneficial insects; Insect pests. - 1012 - P\impkin Caterpillar in Florida; First Report for Western Hemisphere of the pumpkin caterpillar (Diaphania indica (Saunders)) have been collected in light traps by C. P. Kimball in the following Florida locations: Bradenton, Manatee County, 1955; Siesta Key, Sarasota County, 1957; Homestead, Dade County, 1958. They were determined by E. G. Monroe in June 1959. This species has not previously been reported in the United States. (Fla. State Plant Board, September 1959). H. W. Capps, USDA, confirmed the deter
. Cooperative economic insect report. Beneficial insects; Insect pests. - 1012 - P\impkin Caterpillar in Florida; First Report for Western Hemisphere of the pumpkin caterpillar (Diaphania indica (Saunders)) have been collected in light traps by C. P. Kimball in the following Florida locations: Bradenton, Manatee County, 1955; Siesta Key, Sarasota County, 1957; Homestead, Dade County, 1958. They were determined by E. G. Monroe in June 1959. This species has not previously been reported in the United States. (Fla. State Plant Board, September 1959). H. W. Capps, USDA, confirmed the determination, November 1959. Following the report of the Florida record, Mr. Capps examined undetermined specimens in the genus in the U. S. National Museum collection and found that the insect had been in the Western Hemisphere for some years, although apparently it had not been recognized and reported in the literature. Specimens were found in the collection from South America and the West Indies. As far as known, no unusual amount of damage of the type the pest causes has been reported from these areas or from Florida. Its feeding may have been maskedj however, by the activities of the closely related melonworm (D. hyalinata) and pickleworm (D. nitidalis), well-known pests of similar habits. In the Old World, D. indica is recorded as a pest wherever it occurs, especially in the Indian Region,where it is considered one of the outstanding pests of cucurbitaceous plantings. Entire crops of cucumbers have been lost from its depredation in New South Wales, Australia. The larvae damage the foliage early in the season then attack the young fruit when it appears. This pest is widespread in parts of Africa, Asia, Australia and the Indian and Pacific Ocean Islands. Cultivated cucurbits are preferred hosts but feeding has also been reported on such crops as beets, cotton, soybeans and eggplant. The pumpkin caterpillar was included in "Insects Not Known to Occur in the United States&qu
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