| Life Cycle: | The striped cucumber beetle overwinters in Atlantic Canada as an adult underneath plant debris. It is yellow with three black stripes that run the length of its wing covers. It emerges in mid spring and begins feeding on secondary hosts. As soon as curcurbit plants are available, the striped cucumber beetle will migrate to them. The females will lay eggs in clusters in the soil at the base of the host plants. The eggs hatch in approximately seven days. The larvae will burrow into the soil and feed on the roots of the host crop while the adults continue to feed on the foliage and flowers. In severe infestations, the adults will feed on the fruit as well. |
| Host: | The striped cucumber beetle is a threat to all curcurbits. |
| Bio Region: | Throughout North America. |
| Damage: | Damage is caused on three fronts. The larvae feeding on the roots weaken the plant's ability to take up nutrients and moisture. The adults can defoliate young plants quickly. Plants are particularly vulnerable in their first six weeks of growth. Another serious concern is the spread of bacterial wilt. There is no control for this disease, other than controlling the beetles that spread it. |
| Management: | Row covers are an excellent barrier to striped cucumber beetle provided crop rotation is practiced. In addition, if healthy transplants are used and then covered, the resulting plants will have a high likelihood of survival when the row covers have to be removed to allow for pollination. The prompt removal or incorporation of plant debris in early fall is a good method of keeping populations in check. |
| Controls: | Rotenone is effective against striped cucumber beetles. Its use in organic systems is restricted. Some kaolin clay formulations have received minor use approval against cucumber beetles; however, plants should be monitored for potential phytotoxic effects which might require that the treatments be stopped. |
