See Cucumber Beetles
Yellowish-green, 12 black spots on back, 1/4 inch long.
Beans (including snap and lima), cucumber, melon, squash, and gourd.
Eats holes in leaves; chews on pods. Spotted cucumber beetles may transmit bacterial wilt disease.
East of Rocky Mountains. (Closely related species are found throughout United States.)
Thoroughly cultivate soil before planting. Plant corn late in the season. Placing screens or other mechanical barriers over emerging plants (remove once plants have grown large enough to tolerate cucumber beetle damage) can also be a useful strategy for small home gardens. In fall, reduce overwintering sites by eliminating weeds.
The tachinid fly Celatoria diabrotica is a predator of the spotted cucumber beetle but may not be effective in substantailly reducing cucumber beetle numbers. Use a botanical insecticide if damage is intolerable.
Treat with a registered insecticide when seedlings emerge from soil if damage appears. Repeat at 5 day intervals as needed. To avoid injury to tender foliage, do not apply when rain or humidity is expected during the next 2 days. Caution: Make application in late afternoon. Pesticides kill bees. Applying pesticides between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m puts the bees at greatest risk. Also during flowering, treat only when 5 or more beetles are found per plant.
Notice: Because pesticide labels can change rapidly, you should read the label directions carefully before buying and using any pesticides. Regardless of the information provided here, you should always follow the latest product label when using any pesticide. If you have any doubt, please contact your local Extension agent or pesticide dealer for the latest information on pesticide label changes.
Disclaimer: Commercial products named on this site are for informational purposes only. Virginia Cooperative Extension does not endorse these products and does not intend discrimination against other products which also may be suitable.
Prepared by Alexandra Spring and Eric Day (Modified from a publication by the USDA)