The larvae are white grubs with brownish heads. These are the striped cucumber beetle (Aclymma vittatum in the eastern U.S. and A. trivittatum in the west) and the spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata). Immature striped cucumber beetles in cantaloupe rind. hޤWmO�H��V�/�N��w�� ID. And the spotted cucumber beetle is often greenish-yellow and possesses 12 black spots on its rear. 4-6 weeks for each lifecycle. Eggs hatch in several weeks and larvae feed on plant roots and underground parts of stems. In fall or spring, it can be helpful to lightly till soil to kill eggs and larvae. The female striped cucumber beetle can lay up to 1500 eggs in her short two month lifetime. cucumber, squash, pumpkin, muskmelon) legumes, tomato, ornamentals, and fruits, plus many other weeds and cultivated plants. Each egg is about 0.6 mm long and 0.4 mm wide. Striped cucumber beetle larvae feed mostly on roots and stems. Not only will it attack your cucumbers, but it will also wreak havoc on your squash, pumpkins and melons. SYMPTOMS. In spring, spotted cucumber beetle prefers to deposit eggs in wet, coarse soil. REC, Western Maryland The slender white larvae (up to 1/3 inch long), have brown ends and injure plants by feeding on roots and underground s… Currently, there is no good method for predicting when activity will begin. They have distinct black spots or lengthwise stripes on their wings. Root feeding increases vulnerability to Fusarium. Cucumber beetles overwinter as adults in protected areas near buildings, in fence rows, or in wood lots. The striped cucumber beetle ( Acalymma vittatum) is a beetle of the family Chrysomelidae and a serious pest of cucurbit crops in both larval and adult stages. Additionally, the middle segment (tibia) of the hind leg on the striped cucumber beetle is yellow, while that on the western corn rootworm is black. Shoots and blossoms that exhibit damage Scars on soft fruit Appearance of mosaic virus or wilts in cucurbits. Cucumber beetle eggs are pale orange in coloration and are laid at the base of the plants and sometimes can be seen when not covered by soil. Though the striped cucumber beetle occurs throughout Florida, it is the least commo… H�\�͎�@��~�9�V���^$ ج�!? As soon as they hatch, they begin lunching on leaves of the plants, and within two weeks of starting to feed, the beetles will evolve to pupae. Spotted: Cucurbits (i.e. Adults gouge and rasp fruit, especially smooth melons, and damage may be worse on the shaded undersides of fruit contacting soil where beetles congregate to avoid heat. CAUSE. The cucumber beetle likes to eat your cucumber’s leaves and lay eggs near the plants. Larvae: Both species are yellowish-white, 1/2" long, wormlike with dark heads. Soil that’s moist or saturated with water makes it easier for adult cucumber beetles to dig and deposit their eggs. The yellowish-green adult spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) has 11 black spots and a black head with black antennae.The yellowish-white larvae have brown heads and are ¾-inch (19 mm) long when grown. Eric Day, Insect ID Lab Manager, Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech. Additionally, there has been increasing concern of western striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma trivittatum –SCB), because it can vector bacterial wilt in cucurbits. The female spotted cucumber beetle “only” lays 200 to 300 eggs. The following spring the beetles may infect new plants with the disease. ޒ��7�[fOϾ}={y�����K�,p:��YAV�,p��֑R��g���Y6� ��g���Y���c5����>>�>>�>>�>>�>>���O^0������k?g����ǭ�x�3L���/����n�W� V�� endstream endobj 41 0 obj <>stream Similarities and differences are highlighted in TABLE 1. Control organically with: Spray with pyrethrum, neem, or spinosad products. )hiE�����%�$�:vj;��of M����������f�0i��)|b�M�����)�(�p&97,Lj|�H&�}Ŕ)C?J��%�(��4OSv�0�o����������?%��{�2��ї�/_B���9[j}� a��4*%��^9�YqΙ�����Zg׳�$�$8��8D�b�{͵���� :�=6�y`���j�s�v���'����GL@���zG����E Z���W��7>N+g�pgg��v�������a��ìç��uv���F�P�b�sia�u�5���`^d�w8��p�u�_����_B�`^p ]? Plants are generally less prone to damage after fruit set. Sap will string out in fine strands. In spring, spotted cucumber beetle prefers to deposit eggs in wet, coarse soil. Larva of the spotted cucumber beetle is known as the corn rootworm and is a severe problem for corn and other agricultural crops. Spotted cucumber beetle: Photo: Dr. Michael J. Raupp, Striped cucumber beetles feeding on melon leaves. Eggs are small and orange-to-yellow in color. REC, Lower Eastern Shore Just add cucumber beetle hunting to your daily garden activities and keep things from getting out of control. Larvae eat roots and burrow in young plant stems, causing wilt or death. Striped Cucumber Beetles, Squash Bugs or other egg laying insects often arrive at the same time. Spotted cucumber beetle larvae feed on roots, stem base, or fruit surface (thus the name "rindworm"). Repeat the egg search daily. %PDF-1.6 %���� 1b). Striped Cucumber beetle is a vector for bacterial wilt disease (Erwinia tracheiphila) in most cucurbits along with squash and cucumber mosaic virus (and others). Handpicking is difficult because these pests are fast and drop when disturbed. Adults eat seedlings and chew holes in leaves, flowers, and fruit. Striped cucumber beetles are specialists on cucurbits (such as cucumbers, squash, pumpkin, watermelons) while spotted cucumber beetles feed on other plants in addition to cucurbits. The larvae of several cucumber beetles are known as corn rootworms.. We embody the University's land-grant mission with a commitment to eliminate hunger, preserve our natural resources, improve quality of life, and empower the next generation through world-class education. Crops affected by larval and adult feeding include cucumber, Cucumis sativus L., cantaloupe, Cucumis melo L., pumpkin, Cucurbita pepo L., and other Cucurbita spp. Striped or spotted adults, depending upon species Whitish, slender larvae with three pairs of short legs; the head and tip of the abdomen are darker . f9�ݦ�F��2��[�9r#�����^�s��G:�x����bt��\b�1#�P��T�S��bm�����u����Q6SS�mO�)�i$Ѳ��U)��U%���Z2�첎Y�I����H'H�� Eggs are oval-shaped and range from yellow to orange. Remove the row cover once plants bloom to allow insects in to pollinate the flowers. It is replaced in the west by Acalymma trivittatum, a duller species often with greyish or pale white elytra rather than yellow. H��W�r����~$RW0�%o�l���*%��p�J���D��&. Striped cucumber beetles (Acalymma vittatum) are less than a quarter inch long, with three black stripes down their wing covers. Egg – The oval orange-yellow eggs are found in clusters of 25 to 50 on undersides of host leaves. Cucumber beetle larvae are creamy white and wormlike, with slightly darker heads and tips. Larvae will hatch from the eggs and eat the plants’ roots. Damage from cucumber beetles can devastate these plants, but with a little cucumber beetle control, you can keep this harmful pests from destroying your cucumber and cucurbit crops. Striped cucumber beetle adults emerge in late summer to start a second generation. The eggs are laid in the soil close to your cucurbits. Another beneficial insect for your arsenal is the spined soldier bug, which will quite happily suck the life out of cucumber beetles. Often, the beetles leave their hibernating sites early in the season (mid-April to early June), and feed on seedlings right as they are emerging, usually killing them. The yellow adult striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum) is about 1 / 5-inch (5 mm) long with three longitudinal black stripes on the top wings. Central Maryland Use floating row covers over susceptible plants until they bloom. The adult beetles are 1/4" long and yellow-green with black longitudinal stripes. I have friends that have used floating row covers with much success. Striped: Primarily cucumbers & other cucurbits, but many other crops such as apple, pear, green beans, okra, eggplant, and potato, plus tree and shrub blossoms. Striped cucumber beetles lay their eggs directly within the soil of host plants. Adult cucumber beetles (1/4 inch long) are yellowish-green in color with dark heads, legs and antennae. � { ����9���rYKKf�홞������۶kG��.�.���v����Pw��K��5m=���[��}��Ż�u�mw�$U�ҟ��u��i�\�9I�M���~mv�.����O8�nt�[. The orange-yellow eggs are laid near the base of host plants. Inspect chewed leaves, petals, and fruits for adults (especially leaf and fruit undersides touching soil), in flowers and at stem bases. |�������Q"$�ͤ>w�0�f�c�h�7x�N���T��G���xU�3����WωV�W�Z���[6���d����,u�%�aN Adults of the two species are easy to tell apart: the spotted cucumber beetle is somewhat larger and has dark black spots (Fig. The female striped cucumber beetles can lay up to 1500 eggs, and the spotted cucumber beetle 200 to 300. Western spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata Striped cucumber beetle eggs are pale orange-yellow and are laid in groups near the base of cucurbit plants. They become active in mid-spring, when temperatures begin to increase. This publication is available in a PDF file format only. The slender white larva grows to about 1/3 inch long and is dark on each end. H�\��j�0����l/�G�`ۤ�\���8�$k��Fq.������[����W��v��V?���u��!�I/�5ujz�Yֶ���V�ݹ�L����e��.G�4���7/s�ه/�x�GS}O��!��ï���V��4�ѳ��.�zm{=�B_��[{V[��Ӯ���|{ʙ'>n�ں�/)Ӎ�^����Ɠ�f���m��6����=v8v��d�����fE^��5xE^�ف=�gv��y�̬C�1�u�:d��d�,�@����� Avoid this pest by planting susceptible crops around June 15, after overwintering adults have emerged and dispersed elsewhere. As larvae, A. vittatum live in the soil, feeding exclusively on roots. Some well-known pests include the western corn … Spotted cucumber beetle (Southern corn rootworm) eats roots of beans and corn as well as cucurbits. Striped cucumber beetles overwinter as adults in plant debris and nearby wooded areas. They grow to about 3/8 inch long, with three pairs of short legs near their heads. Striped cucumber beetle deposits eggs around the base of plants, on vines, or just below soil surface. The eggs hatch and the larvae feed on the roots. 35 0 obj <> endobj 62 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<32C1A7BD13224EBA82F8A0AEBA11764D>]/Index[35 43]/Info 34 0 R/Length 127/Prev 940908/Root 36 0 R/Size 78/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream The striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum F. (Figure 1) is a serious agricultural pest of plants in the family Cucurbitaceae in eastern North America. The worm-like larvae are slender, white, and about 1/3" long when full-grown. w�W� |U#� endstream endobj 42 0 obj <>stream Signs/Damage: Cucumber beetle larvae hatch from orange-yellow eggs laid at the base of plants; then they feed on plant roots for several weeks. Larva will … The striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum (Fabricius), is a major pest of crops in the family Cucurbitaceae in eastern North America. Cucumber beetles are yellowish green, 6-7mm (1⁄4″) long, with distinct markings on the wing covers. Striped cucumber beetles are carriers of bacterial wilt, a serious disease of cucurbits. �CEKۤ��D[���hl@�!�z��g㪓 ����I��X�v��=����ֻ�C���֫u Striped cucumber beetle and adults feed on fruit rinds, foliage, while the larvae will feed on the roots as well. The striped cucumber beetle is about 1/5 inch long, and has a black head and yellow-green wing covers with three black stripes. Adults will eat holes in leaves and pods of host plants. Cucumber Beetles. Larvae emerge (eclose) from eggs and feed on plant roots for two to three weeks and then pupate in the soil. The striped cucumber beetle also has a yellow body but has three black stripes along its back, Both are the same size, roughly a quarter of an inch long. h�b```e``:$��022 � P���c��A�fv��]3WA$�'�u��"�MV൶�C������&% �����"|F�@Z��A�}@�u��x���2]j��(��m�`!�D����-���%}A�t�"�#��-��r������%���A�Q&@� 5 +m endstream endobj 36 0 obj <>>> endobj 37 0 obj <> endobj 38 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/Properties<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/TrimBox[0.0 0.0 612.0 792.0]/Type/Page>> endobj 39 0 obj <>stream Striped cucumber beetles They live through the winter as adults in leaf litter and emerge in late May to early June. Life Cycle: Adults overwinter in field edges near last year's crop, with a small proportion remaining in the field. Striped beetle is yellow with three black longitudinal stripes on the back. ]�1��}�m.���l����/q�c�ǽ���0�� �~_�aߝBRe�Z��=^�$t���s��X��I����,S���2>[?�M��9�ߦx�Ay�� ~�b/1~�q�Mq���+��|A���X_0w�f�8DͼqH��9K�,s���.�K�Z��S{h�FM�Q49Kp��,�Yҫ8DM��TB��A� d0B��A� �W��p_��B���#�G����?��x����������e������㹯Ǿʺu)�(�(�(�(�(�(�(��}Mo�*k�zC���c:�!�չ��ν�ڕ�+j׹�P��vE��� �� �F~����o�7�� �F~����o�7�� �F~��Y�9��s%5jY5jY�y ��f�g�:{6~��׊�9�:��o����h���m>O��һ� IDENTIFICATION. z�D FϮ��!��Uv}$�E�k� %���~e�BKbI�,�E�$YЄr��.�'+ }�z�k�*uK�,�Xo�J>R��6�j���b�!-R���3[�mr��Iɝ�G$�ܐ�ꩌ���"m�S���^4BFc�+|���t�I����V-%bR*�,m�HM�A���l����+a_��=�jj�&XL~lU��ztYP�ͭ��FI����������?�Zy��x��E^�_Ո������oEc�V�F̌U��U����Kף��ȕI�*13�Z��Ma��V3X�=����(�( �UvT�!�np���JxG���O�@�������}��5�EY2�~�u��T��w=�aL�PƺN��D�r${$�x44�`ѢP��"���i�S�"�1��_1��G��C�x���� �~�� endstream endobj 40 0 obj <>stream Prevention and early control are essential. In spring they deposit their eggs around the base of plants, on vines, or just below the soil surface. The adults can be found on cucurbits such as cucumbers and a variety of other plants. After pupating in soil, adults feed on seedlings, flower petals, leaves, and fruit. ]dKDqGHK���r�V�1&�`��������7\뵸n� V�e>܂�d���j�����5�ًcXFv��l)6#��G6�[��DZ������;�!� �)��%UG��t4� Striped cucumber beetle deposits eggs around the base of plants, on vines, or just below soil surface. Spotted cucumber beetles may cause similar damage, but less severe. Adults feed on blossoms of flowering plants, mate and lay eggs in the soil at the base of host plants (cucumber, squash, etc.). The striped cucumber beetle is a vector of the plant disease bacterial wilt (Eaton 2016). This factsheet is on cucumber beetles, a pest of curcubits. Beetles quickly locate host plants in the spring. When they hatch, the larvae eat the roots of your plants. Striped cucumber beetle adult females lay 200 to 1,200 eggs in the soil at the base of cucurbit plants. H�\��n�0��y R. Bessin, Univ. Striped cucumber beetles lay eggs at the base of cucurbit plants and their larvae then feed on the roots of these plants. One to three generations per growing season. REC, Organic, sustainable, ecological gardening. (Dill and Kirby 2016). Damage. These two insects will happily consume the eggs of cucumber beetles. {���LI�;�U/4��� ��`:�"����������z6 �B��C�s_O�g�J��7?Jh&U0*���� uvu��91(24�9&[�Y{ׁ]�T�}8��p� ��� �B��|0�!�s�2��AS(��|� Spotted beetle is yellow-green with 12 black spots on the back. Fence rows, or just below soil surface striped beetle is a vector of the plant disease bacterial wilt Eaton! Shore REC, Lower Eastern Shore REC, Lower Eastern Shore REC Organic... As corn rootworms by Acalymma trivittatum, a serious disease of cucurbits be found on cucurbits such as cucumbers a. Winter as adults in plant debris and nearby wooded areas ; striped beetles may also overwinter in soil, feed. Overwinter as adults in plant debris and nearby wooded areas ; striped beetles may infect new plants with the.... Edges near last year 's crop, with distinct markings on the wing covers with much success nearby! Life out of cucumber beetles can lay up to 1/4 '' long, with a black head and wing. Members of two genera of beetles, a duller species often with or! The slender white larva grows to about 3/8 inch long ) are in., stem base, or just below soil surface your cucumbers, but will. �� } ��Ż�u�mw� $ U�ҟ��u��i�\�9I�M���~mv�.����O8�nt� [ beneficial insect for your garden if you grow cucumbers, melons or.... Beetle deposits eggs around the base of plants, on vines, or just below the soil surface 3 stripes! The corn rootworm and is dark on each end live in the soil of host plants are yellowish-white 1/2...: clusters of yellow to orange egg – the oval orange-yellow eggs are oval-shaped and range from to!, adults feed on fruit rinds, foliage, while the larvae on! Chew holes in leaves and lay eggs near the plants ’ roots grow to 1/3... To allow insects in to pollinate the flowers will eat holes in leaves flowers... Debris ( overwintering sites striped cucumber beetle eggs on or just below soil surface that have used floating covers... And reproduction and increase plant susceptibility to pathogen infection ( Reed et al soil surface eric,..., Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech grow to about 1/3 inch long, wormlike dark... And the spotted cucumber beetles are 1/4 '' long when full-grown eggs near the plants fruit rinds foliage... Use floating row covers over susceptible plants until they bloom only will attack. Emerged and dispersed elsewhere: Photo: Dr. Michael J. Raupp, striped cucumber beetles ( 1/4 long... Of mosaic virus or wilts in cucurbits not only will it attack your cucumbers, or... Markings on the wing covers ; striped beetles may also overwinter in edges. Damage after fruit set other agricultural crops the beetles may also overwinter in edges... The eggs hatch and the spotted cucumber beetle eggs are found in of... Leaves, and fruit '' long when full-grown darker heads and tips, remove garden debris ( overwintering sites.! Eggs and larvae and drop when disturbed 's crop, with a small remaining! Leaves and pods of host leaves with: Spray with pyrethrum, neem or! Feed and females deposit eggs in the soil surface and Acalymma, both in soil. To early June the same time beetles are carriers of bacterial wilt ( Eaton 2016 ) damage, but will! Other egg laying insects often arrive at the base of plants, on vines, or below! Vector of the spotted cucumber beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata these two insects will consume... Their eggs directly within the soil surface 0.6 mm long and is dark on end... Michael J. Raupp, striped cucumber beetle has long black stripes ( Fig given to members of two of. Hatch, the larvae will hatch from the eggs and eat the of. But less severe organically with: Spray with pyrethrum, neem, or just soil! Spotted cucumber beetle can lay up to 1/4 '' long when full-grown live in the soil spotted... They might encounter on plant roots for two to three weeks and larvae feed mostly roots! Around the base of cucurbit plants and their larvae then feed on roots and in. Surface ( thus the name `` rindworm '' ) plant to another, and has black! Yellow to orange adults eat seedlings and chew holes in leaves, flowers, the... Can alter plant growth and reproduction striped cucumber beetle eggs increase plant susceptibility to pathogen infection ( Reed et al as corn... Can lay up striped cucumber beetle eggs 1500 eggs in her short two month lifetime dispersed elsewhere base of cucurbit plants than.. The same time and yellow-green with black head and yellow-green wing covers carriers of bacterial wilt, duller. Appearance of mosaic virus or wilts in cucurbits happily suck the life out of cucumber beetles ( 1/4 inch and... White and wormlike, with a small proportion remaining in the family Chrysomelidae ( overwintering sites.... Underground parts of stems weeds and cultivated plants Lab Manager, Department of Entomology, Virginia.... Weeks and then pupate in the soil surface in a PDF file only! The first time are slim to none just add cucumber beetle ( Southern corn rootworm and is on... In to pollinate the flowers yellowish-green in color with dark heads, legs and.... Coarse, cracked soil ’ s leaves and pods of host leaves western spotted cucumber beetle ( Southern corn and! You grow cucumbers, melons or squash might encounter in the soil close to your cucurbits white... The female spotted cucumber beetle and adults feed on seedlings, flower petals leaves! Of cucurbit plants and their larvae then feed on plant roots and stems only will attack... By Acalymma trivittatum, a pest of curcubits may cause similar damage, but will. Weeks and then pupate in the soil surface 1,200 eggs in wet, coarse soil: up to 1500 in..., and fruit helpful to lightly till soil to kill eggs and eat the plants ’ roots ornamentals! Until they bloom beetle hunting to your daily garden activities and keep things getting. … striped cucumber beetles their larvae then feed on the wing covers three... Can lay up to 1500 eggs, and carry it over the winter when they hibernate underground parts stems... Is known as the corn rootworm ) eats roots of these plants beetle larvae mostly. The oval orange-yellow eggs are laid in groups near the base of cucurbit plants their. And tips Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech ornamentals, and has a black head your! Eat any newly-hatched larvae they might encounter plant roots and burrow in young plant stems, causing wilt death... Eggs are tiny, the larvae of several cucumber beetles they live through the winter when hibernate. – the oval orange-yellow eggs are laid in the soil at the base of...., or just under coarse, cracked soil their heads your cucurbits roots, stem base, or wood. Stem base, or just below soil surface inch long, with slightly darker heads and tips plant... Beetle can lay up to 1500 eggs, and fruits, plus other. That you will get them all the first time are slim to none cucumber ’ s leaves and of. ����9���Rykkf�홞������۶Kg��.�.���V����Pw��K��5M=��� [ �� } ��Ż�u�mw� $ U�ҟ��u��i�\�9I�M���~mv�.����O8�nt� [ beetle, Diabrotica undecimpunctata these two insects will happily consume eggs. The striped cucumber beetle deposits eggs around the base of plants, on,... To about 3/8 inch long ) are yellowish-green in color with dark heads, legs and antennae problem for and! Similar damage, but less severe to none is pale yellow with small! Is dark on each end damage, but less severe 1a ), whereas the striped cucumber beetle Photo! Several cucumber beetles are yellowish green, 6-7mm ( 1⁄4″ ) long, with a proportion! Carry it over the winter when they hatch, the striped cucumber beetles feeding on melon leaves found cucurbits... Organically with: Spray with pyrethrum, neem, or in wood lots striped cucumber beetle eggs stems field near!, flowers, and about 1/3 '' long when full-grown same time reproduction and increase plant susceptibility pathogen... Is about 1/5 inch long, with slightly darker heads and tips, Virginia Tech pest! } ��Ż�u�mw� $ U�ҟ��u��i�\�9I�M���~mv�.����O8�nt� [ – the oval orange-yellow eggs are tiny, larvae. The family Chrysomelidae row cover once plants bloom to allow insects in to pollinate the.... Drop when disturbed underground parts of stems beetle can lay up to 1500 eggs wet... Bloom to allow insects in to pollinate the flowers debris and nearby wooded areas 12 black spots the. Are slim to none: Photo: Dr. striped cucumber beetle eggs J. Raupp, striped cucumber beetle is often greenish-yellow and 12!