Family Pyralidae

RECOGNITION

Distinguishing characters. This larva is also found in cotton bolls and it is white in color. This larva is sometimes referred to as the “white worm.”  It can be distinguished from the pink bollworm by the following features. The anterior puncture is behind anterior seta 2. The adfrontal puncture is closer to seta 1 than seta 2. There are only two setae, instead of three, on the prespiracular plate of the prothorax. Seta 1 of abdominal segment 9 is closer to seta 3 than seta 2. There are no light patches on the prothoracic shield (dorsal sclerite) like there are on the pink bollworm. Even in later instars this larva is not pink.

ECOLOGY

Feeding habits.  Dicymolomia julianalis is known to feed on musk thistle (Carduus nutans) and cattail (Typha spp.). It has also been reported to feed on the eggs, larvae and pupae of another lepidopteran, the common bagworm (Thyridopteryx ephemeraeformis).