striped cucumber beetle

Copyright DianesDigitals

Uploaded on Aug 6, 2011

Photographed on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River north of Red Wing, Minnesota (04 August 2011). Thank you to 'v beloc' (@Bugguide.net) for confirming the identity of this specimen!

Published on Jun 29, 2012

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This video is part of a series on squash, melon and cucumber pests and diseases. The other videos in the series can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32NBWI1rgJU&list=PLD3B7554B04514DB5&feature=plcp

Cucumber beetles may have stripes or spots. They will lay eggs on the underside of squash, cucumber and other gourd family plants. It is easiest to spot the beetles late in the evening or early morning where they might be inside the flowers mating. Cucumber beetles are known to transmit both cucumber mosaic virus which causes a yellow mottled appearance of the leaves, and also bacterial wilt. This video shows how to safely test for bacterial wilt and prevent these diseases and pests from spreading from plant to plant throughout the garden.

Prime time for these pests in hardiness zones 5 and 6 is June, so be on the lookout.

There is a lot I don't know about this subject, so if anyone has more insight please share it.

Tags: Squash bug identification control prevention detrimental garden insects pests gourd family cucumber melon butternut acorn pickling slicing watermelon muskmelon honeydew Anara tristis "bacterial wilt cucumber beetle mosaic virus frass vineborer moth Chrysomelidae Melittia cucurbitae companion planting organic gardening "gardening by the foot" "square foot gardening" Back to Eden Erwinia tracheiphila mulch vine borer hover fly hoverly ladybug plant diseases agriculture preparedness Michigan

Uploaded on Jul 8, 2011

The Bug Canon macro 100mm 2.8f HD

Cucumber beetle is a common name given to members of two genera of beetles, Diabrotica and Acalymma, both in the family Chrysomelidae. The name stems from the tendency for adults of these beetles to be found on the leaves and flowers of cucurbits; which are plant species of the melon, cucumber and squash varieties.

The two most common pests in this family are the striped cucumber beetle and spotted cucumber beetle, which looks very much like a green ladybug. However, unlike the ladybug, cucumber beetles are not considered beneficial insects. They are sucking invaders which harm crops and ornamental plants.

At two stages of their approx. 8 week lifespan, these insects cause damage to plants. Adults will attack the tender young growth of stems and leaves, and the buds and petals on mature specimens. They also carry and spread the bacterial wilt organism, Erwinia tracheiphila and the cucumber mosaic virus. Eggs are laid in clusters on the underside of host leaves, and hatch into yellowish larvae (coloration varies) approx 1⁄2 inches (13 mm) long. The larvae then commence to feed on plant roots by tunneling into the ground. In some areas, the larvae is called the "corn rootworm".

Cucumber beetles can attack and overwinter in corn and bean fields; in some areas they may hide out in compost or trash piles. Eradication consists of manual removal, keeping cultivated areas free of litter and debris from infested plants, and application of pyrethrin-containing insecticides applied directly to host plants, such as Cyfluthrin or a non-systemic organphosphate insectside like malathion. Caution and strict adherence to safety instructions and directions-for-use are advised when using insecticides, especially on plants bearing produce for human or animal consumption.