Older larvae are greenish. Feeds on flowers and leaf buds. Tunnels flowers, terminal buds, vines and fruits. Southeastern part of country as far north as Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, and Kansas.
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. Destroy vines, unused fruits, adjoining weeds and trash as soon as crop is harvested.