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In my past 25 years of biological work in Hawai'i, I have never heard of "pickle worms" and can't find a reference for the term.
Could you please explain. If I knew what you are talking about, I might be able to help.
Oh I found it: Info pasted from the Hawaiian Dept Ag invasive pests list:
Pickleworm
[Diaphania nitidalis Cramer]
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.
Hey Jen, can you post the name of the website that you found pickle worms on?
I wonder if these are the tiny critters (worms) that get inside of leaf-buds and eat them from the inside, leaving the new leaves looking awful. The only way I have been able to deal with them is to smash them with my fingers, and keep looking for signs of their presence. They tend to tie new leaves together with silk and eat the growing tip.
When you get to that page click on pickleworm which is about half way down in the left hand side colomn. Sorry, I don't have a clue on how to do a link.
From the description I don't believe that I have seen any in the garden - yet. Let us know if that's what you think you have. Didn't see any control info for mlassi, but also haven't had time to do research. I will call the Dept of Ag later on today to see if I can get any info...
Found out a little more from Dept Entomology, Virginia Tech...
Pickleworm
Description:
Yellowish-white, brownish head; with numerous dark spots across segments when young. Older larvae are greenish. Up to 3/4 inch long.
Common host plant(s):
Cucumber, squash, pumpkin, muskmelon, cantaloupe and squash.
Damage:
Feeds on flowers and leaf buds. Tunnels flowers, terminal buds, vines and fruits.
Distribution:
Southeastern part of country as far north as Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas. Winters in southern Florida and Texas; spreads northward late in season.
Lifecycle:
Pickleworms overwinter in warm climates, such as Florida, and migrate north as temperatures rise. Females begin to deposit eggs in midsummer on hairy cucurbit surfaces. Within about three days small pickleworms hatch and begin feeding for a period of two week. Larvae may feed on flowers, vines, and fruit, but their preference is for developing leaf or flower buds. Pupation occurs in cocoons formed inside rolled leaves. Moths emerge in approximately a week.
Cultural Control:
Plant early; very early spring plantings are seldom damaged. Destroy vines, unused fruits, adjoining weeds and trash as soon as crop is harvested. Spading or plowing in early fall will bury pupae. Stems infested with pickleworms can be slit and the borers removed; heap dirt over the injured stem to encourage rooting.
Organic/Biological Control:
No known organic/biological control for pickleworm at this time.
Chemical Control:
Begin treating with a registered insecticide plants at first sign of worms in blossoms and buds; worms must be killed before they enter the fruits.
Notice: Because pesticide labels can change rapidly, you should read the label directions carefully before buying and using any pesticides. Regardless of the information provided here, you should always follow the latest product label when using any pesticide. If you have any doubt, please contact your local Extension agent or pesticide dealer for the latest information on pesticide label changes.
Disclaimer: Commercial products named on this site are for informational purposes only. Virginia Cooperative Extension does not endorse these products and does not intend discrimination against other products which also may be suitable.
They do a job on cucurbits, primarily squash, cucumbers, and cantaloupes in the states of the old Confederacy. Did not know that you had them in Hawaii or if it is the same species. You will find considerable discussion in the vegetable forum.
Well I talked with some folks at church and they have them too. They said they only got them in the past few years so they must be a new introduction here.
They are no longer"Tropical".We just trashed our Zuchinni Plant because of infestation of what I'm sure is the Pickel Worm.---frass on fruit & large stems & dead/dying plant.
We are in zone 5 ,Kingston ,Ontario,Canada.
Whoops! I now believe we have the squash vine borer.Equally destructive & hard to control.
