Cucumber Beetle

Cucumber Beetle: (Size= 1/4 to 1/2 inch)
Don't be confused by the two different forms of this pest. The striped form is shown above. It's cousin features a dozen black spots. But whether spoted or striped, both are the same size and the same, greenish-yellow color, and both dine on a wide variety of cucumber-family vegetables as well as various ornamentals such as roses and dahlias. Another well-known family member is the corn rootworm.

They are more dangerous to their cucumber family hosts than many pests because they transmit deadly diseases--mosaic and bacterial wilts. The adults overwinter in weeds and plant debris. They emerge in spring after the last frost and enter gardens once the growing season is underway. You may first notice them inside squash flowers. They lay orange eggs at the base of host plants; white larva with legs and brown heads chew on roots. Short, northern seasons allow just one generation a year. In the south and mild west, two or more generations are typical.

Controls
Look for varieties of cucumbers and squash that are resistant to these pests.

Cover young plants with garden fabric.

Knock, shake, or hand pick beetles off plants and out of flowers, and clean up in the fall to reduce the number of overwintering adults.

Dust plants and flowers with Garden Dust.

Apply beneficial nematodes to soil to control larvae.

To ask our in-house gardening experts a question, Click here.