Cucumber Beetles

Spotted cucumber beetles are greenish yellow, 1/4in(6mm) in size with 11 black spots on the wing covers. Overwintering adults emerge from under crop residues in spring and lay eggs in the soil close to the plants. Their larvae also know as southern corn rootworms are white grubs with brown heads and brown segments on the first and last  body segments.

They feed for 2 to 4 weeks then pupate. There one or two generations per year in northern areas and 3 in southern areas. Striped cucumber beetles are similar in size but have black heads and three wide black stripes on their wing covers.

They emerge in April to early June and eat weed pollen for two weeks, then lay eggs in the soil near the base of the plants. The eggs hatch in 10 days. The larvae-slender white maggots feed on roots for several weeks then pupate in early August. Adults emerge in two weeks to feed on blossoms and fruit.

The larvae and adults of both species of cucumber beetles can transmit cucumber mosaic virus and bacterial wilt as they feed.

Susceptible plants- Cucurbitaceae family plants, sweet corn, and other vegetable crops and flowers.

Symptoms- Stripped cucumber beetle larvae feed on the roots of squash family plants only, killing or stunting the plants. Adults of both species of cucumber beetles feed on leaves, stems, fruits, and flowers of squashes and other crops.

Prevention and Control- Remove and destroy crop residues where adult cucumber beetles overwinter. Rotate garden crops with green manure such as alfalfa. Cover seedlings and plants with row cover or mesh, hand pollinating squash-family plants  Scentry multigard traps can be used for smaller outbreaks..

Biological control- Apply NemAttack - Beneficial Nematodes - S. Feltiae to the soil to control larvae.

Pesticide spray-   PyGanic® Crop Protection If you need immediate insect control or knockdown, this is the best pyrethrum (botanical pesticide derived from chrysanthemums) product available on the market today.
 

Products for Cucumber Beetle Control offered by Arbico Organics

Scentry Multigard Trap  $131.50	Safer® Brand BioNeem Insecticide  $16.75	Beneficial Nematodes  $54.95