Worm Discovered on Pumpkin Flower is Caterpillar

Share the knowledge

A reader reached out to us from Long Island, New York and asked the classic question, “What is this worm?” She included a photograph that shows a yellow worm-like organism on an orange flower.  She explained that the flower in the photograph is a pumpkin flower. The creature has a thin white stripe running down its body, and several minuscule black dots. The specimen has three black legs near its head and two yellow legs at its rear. We believe that this specimen is either a cucumber beetle larva or an inchworm.

Cucumber beetles are found throughout North America. They feed on cucurbit vegetables, which are plants that belong to the gourd family, including cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, and beans. While cucumber beetle larvae feed on the roots of the host plants, adults eat the leaves, vines, and fruits. Cucumber beetle larvae range in color from off white to yellow. They typically have dark brown heads and tails. Although the crop suggests that this could be a cucumber beetle larva, the description isn’t exactly a match.

We think the description lines up more with an inchworm. Inchworms are the larvae of Geometer moths, which means they are caterpillars. There are over 20,000 species of inchworms! Inchworms of different species can look quite different. They can be yellow, brown, green, or even grey. Though they may vary in color, inchworms are relatively easy to recognize because they have legs at both ends of their bodies, but none in the middle. They get the name “inchworm” because they measure the earth when they walk, moving forward first by clasping with their front legs and moving their back legs forward, then clasping with their back legs and reaching forward with their front legs. We can see both sets of legs on the specimen our reader found, and therefore we believe it is an inchworm!

In conclusion, one of our readers found a yellow worm-like organism on a pumpkin flower. We have identified this specimen as an inchworm.

 

All About Worms is always free, always reader-supported. Your tips via CashApp, Venmo, or Paypal are appreciated! Receipts will come from ISIPP Publishing.

CashApp us Square Cash app link

Venmo us Venmo link

Paypal us Paypal link

Note: Some links on this site are partner links. That means that we earn a tiny bit if you purchase something through them, at no extra charge to you. This helps offset the cost of keeping this resource free for everybody (it doesn't cover our costs, but every little bit helps! :~) )
Summary
Worm Discovered on Pumpkin Flower is Caterpillar
Article Name
Worm Discovered on Pumpkin Flower is Caterpillar
Description
One of our readers found a yellow worm-like organism on a pumpkin flower. We have identified this specimen as an inchworm.
Author

Share the knowledge
Share:

Author: Worm Researcher Dori

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *