What are Cucumber Beetles?
There are two types of cucumber beetle that belong to the Diabrotica family. The striped or spotted cucumber beetle varieties are both considered harmful garden pests, and can do extensive damage to not only cucumber plants, but to many other vegetables and ornamental plants. They are yellow-green or orange in color with either black stripes or spots and are quite small — just 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) long. Cucumber beetles harm vegetation in the larvae stage by eating small, tender young plants as they emerge from the soil, and by burrowing into the ground and feeding on the roots. Adults eat the flowers, leaves, and stems of larger plants.
Although cucumbers are their preferred food, there are well over 200 different plants that these pests will eat. Other cucurbits such as squash and melons are especially prone to damage from these beetles and their larvae. Plants that have yellow flowers, including bean and tomato plants, are the most attractive to them. Eggplant, asparagus, cabbage, and peas are frequently visited by these bugs as well.
The striped cucumber beetle often over winters in northern climates and begins attacking plants in early spring when the temperature reaches about 65° Fahrenheit (18° Celsius). The spotted cucumber beetle is found year round in southern areas, but migrates north in early summer to do its damage. In the south, it also appears several weeks after the striped variety. Cucumber beetles often spend winters in corn fields and compost piles, where they can spread the bacterial wilt and mosaic diseases that live through cold winters in their intestines. These diseases then spread to the next season's crops.
Cucumber beetles can be controlled by growing plants that repel them, including radishes, calendula, marigolds, and catnip. These may help to keep the cucumber beetles from damaging other nearby plants. These beetles also have many natural predators such as nematodes, soldier beetles, and braconid wasps. Ladybugs are also beneficial because they eat the beetle eggs. These insects can purchased and introduced to an area with cucumber beetle infestations.
There are many other ways to discourage cucumber beetles without using harmful chemicals. Some gardeners and farmers spread onions skins or wood ashes on the ground near their plants. A spray containing hot peppers and garlic may also help to deter the beetles. It may be necessary to use chemicals such as rotenone or pyrethrum for severe infestations, although they cannot be used on sensitive cucurbit plants.
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![Ladybugs eat cucumber beetle eggs.]()
Ladybugs eat cucumber beetle eggs. -
![Cucumber beetles often attack asparagus.]()
By: Tatiana BelovaCucumber beetles often attack asparagus. -
![Peas are often attacked by cucumber beetles.]()
By: sevenkPeas are often attacked by cucumber beetles. -
![A cucumber.]()
By: KenishirotieA cucumber. -
![Growing marigolds may help to keep cucumber beetles from damaging other nearby plants.]()
By: DionisveraGrowing marigolds may help to keep cucumber beetles from damaging other nearby plants.
Discussion Comments
Has anybody had good results using an organic spray for spotted cucumber beetle control?
I have been trying to grow an organic garden, and sometimes have a hard time finding organic solutions that work very well.
Finding an organic spray would be my first choice, but I also want something that is going to get the job done.
Sometimes I have almost waited too long to see if something is going to work or not. I don't want the chemicals in my garden, but also want a good crop of vegetables.
I call these pests squash beetles, but think they are the same thing as cucumber beetles. They can ruin a great crop of squash in a few weeks.
What is so frustrating about these squash bugs is they ruin many different parts of the plant. They can destroy the flowers, and also feed on the roots.
One year I almost lost a large part of my squash and melons because they spread a wilt disease that affected almost all of my plants.
Living in the country and being surrounded by corn fields probably doesn't help my situation any. I don't leave piles of leaves or mulch around, as this is a perfect breeding ground for these pests.
@myharley - I have been gardening for many years, and fighting the bugs and pests is part of it. Don't give up, as there is great reward in gardening and growing some of your own food.
There are several ways to handle cucumber beetle control, but what works best for me is spraying them. I have some local garden centers, who are helpful at recommending what works for something like this.
There are also several places online where you can order sprays to kill cucumber pests.
I have tried picking them off when I see them. Usually I will see them in the early morning, but this is time consuming and not effective in getting rid of all of them. I can't keep up with these guys.
Another thing to remember, is they can have up to three generations of these pests every summer. This is something you need to stay on top of all season long, or they will take over in a hurry.
I am pretty new at gardening, and after reading this article, realize that cucumber bugs must have been part of my problem this year.
I planted some tomatoes, cucumbers and beans, and was looking forward to growing some of my own vegetables. As the summer went on, my garden wasn't producing nearly as well as I thought it would.
It looked like a had several cucumbers and tomatoes on the vine, but didn't end up getting very much produce.
I am wondering how to get rid of cucumber beetles? I am not ready to give up on gardening, but want to find a way to control pests like these.
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