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Wed, Jul 25, 12 at 19:27
| argh! i just finishing doing research on a cucumber issue and think i have figured that out when i saw today that my cantaloupe have an issue, too. i see no caterpillars, beetles, etc. in the daytime and i have some melons suspended on the fence, but about 5 are so low that as they reach maturity they are basically sitting on the ground. i have a good layer of straw under everything. this is not the first year i have had this happen but still don't know what it is. a few of the fruit have small (maybe 2 mm) holes right thru the rind and what looks to be the digested rind close to the hole. that appears to be the only damage/blemish. some of the leaves are starting to not look that great, but i think that is a nutrient issue i am correcting. does anyone know what is making these holes, and is the fruit still okay to eat? |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Looks like it was a caterpillar of some sort. Likely gone now. As for is it safe to eat? Yes, if it's ripe and not rotted. Cut it open and look. |
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| here is more damage. this is on a much smaller fruit, but the damage is more extensive. this does not appear to go thru to the fleshy part of the fruit, but rather more superficial tunneling across the rind. not sure what is going on at the crown, but the fruit looks sunken. i will cut this one off now and check inside, but i don't expect to find anything. no evidence of any insect activity that i can see. i can't find anything like this online to reference. any help is appreciated. |
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| Are you referring to the light-colored spot at the top (well, actually,) the bottom of the melon? If so, some chewing critter as rats, squirrels. Or the dark colored streaks? You could submit samples to your county's Extension Service office. (Then please let us know, too.) Find your county's office with this list |
Here is a link that might be useful: locate your county's Extension Service office
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| actually, both. i clipped the melon and took it to my local garden center for info. their opinion was perhaps a squirrel, it appears the 'spot' you mention was a bite/chunk that was taken out and the dark streaks they suppose are where it was digging in with claws. this particular melon was on the upper most part of the trellis so i am fairly certain it was not a mouse, but squirrel does seem likely. either way, no other melons are affected as yet except for the first picture where i continue to have small 2 mm circles thru the rind. my guess is worm/cat of some sort, but i am hoping the melons will ripen and i can just cut away that portion and enjoy the rest! |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Tue, Jul 31, 12 at 17:04
| no hoodlum with a BB gun??? that was my thought with that perfect round hole ... ken |
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