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Striped
Cucumber Beetle
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Information on this page is derived from public domain documents published
by the federal government of canada, the provincial government of British
Columbia and information contributed on electronic discussion groups.
Please bear in mind that any pesticides mentioned in these pages may
no longer be recommended or registered for the indicated use — check
with your local pesticide officer or regional agrologist for current info
(you can use the provincial directory
on the internet to search for those job titles or call Enquiry
bc at 1 800 663-7867 for assistance). It is recommended that you use
a search engine using the common name and/or scientific name of the organism(s)
below, together with the name of your province, to find biology and management
information relevant to your local conditions.
If
you choose to use chemical controls remember to
always follow pesticide label instructions!
insects
of economic importance in Canada and British Columbia
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species: acalymma
vittata (fabricius)
common names: striped cucumber beetle
hosts:
notes:
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Agriculture
and Agri-Food Canada Insect Identification Sheet No. 48 March
1981
Striped
Cucumber Beetle
Acalymma
vittata (Fabricius)
The
striped cucumber beetle is one of the most common and destructive
pests attacking cucurbits (cucumbers,
squash, melons, pumpkins and gourds) in Canada. Though
found west to Saskatchewan, they are a serious problem
only in
the east.
Injury:
The
newly hatched larvae feed on small roots or burrow
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into
the main root of host plants. Often the result to the plant
is wilting or even death. Adult beetles swarm on newly
emerged seedlings, chewing on leaves and tender shoots
and often killing the plant. As the plants mature, stems
and flowers are attacked. In the fall the beetles gnaw
pits into the rinds of the fruits. In addition, cucumber
beetles often transmit the serious plant diseases cucumber
mosaic and bacterial wilt.
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Life History:
The striped cucumber beetle overwinters in the adult stage under
leaves or dense grass, emerging in May or early June. The adult
is 5 mm long. Its upper surface is about equally black and
yellow, with the folded wing covers bearing three black stripes.
Two weeks after emerging the beetles mate and lay eggs. The orange-yellow
eggs are laid in the soil at the base of host plants and hatch
within 10 days. Upon hatching, the larvae burrow into the soil
and start to feed on roots. About the first of August the larvae
pupate in the soil. Two weeks later, a new generation of beetles
appear. In Canada, there is only a single generation per year.
Control:
When acreage
is small, such as in a home garden, plants may be protected by
placing wire screens over them just after they have broken the
surface of the ground. Consult your provincial Department of
Agriculture for control recommendations.
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