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May 2004. Watermelon farmers in Takwa, North Malaita, Solomon Islands, experience serious problems with a small green caterpillar that feeds on the leaves. When reared out, the attached moth emerges from the pupa. The caterpillar is heavily parasitised.
It was identified as Diaphania indica Saunders, 1851 which belongs to the Lepidoptera family Pyralidae and is a well-known pest of melon and cucumber in tropical countries around the world. Further information on this species can be found on the internet, e.g.:
