Striped Cucumber Beetle
The Striped Cucumber Beetle (Acalymma vittatumis) [Family Chrysomelidae] is one of the most damaging pests–in both larval and adult stages–on cucurbits, such as squash, cucumber, melon and pumpkin. The larvae can cause severe damage to roots. A single beetle can cause severe damage to an emerging plant by feeding on the lower surface of the leaves. Next-generation adults (overwintering) are known to feed inside flowers, preventing pollination and fruit set. These beetles also spread bacterial wilt, cucumber mosaic virus, and squash mosaic virus. The striped cucumber beetle is about 0.2″ long, and has a black head and yellow-green wing covers with three black stripes.
Additional Information:
- Striped Cucumber Beetle (Our Pest Management Fact Sheet #5038)
- Cucumber Beetles (Virginia Cooperative Extension)
- Additional photo showing numerous striped cucumber beetles (wikipedia)