Cucumber Beetles – Garden Insect Pests – Series

There are two main types of cucumber beetles, the spotted and striped. In both cases, the adults grow to about 6-7 mm in length. They feed on cucumber plants, but will also eat squash, gourds and pumpkins. As the adults feed, they leave ragged holes in the leaves and they can transmit diseases such as bacterial wilt. If cucumber beetles are an annual pest in your garden, grow wilt-resistant cultivars near by. It helps to use a lightweight insect barrier placed over top of cucumber beds when first seeded or planted and leave it in place until the plants begin to flower. Cucumber beetles can be hand picked, but mulching the soil around the plants with straw can reduce egg laying.