Cucumber Beetles!!!

It seems early, but apparently these voracious little beetles are already making an appearance in the garden.

You need to be aware of these little beetles if you are going to plant any member of the curcurbit family (more info below).  Last year they came out in droves. They prove troublesome to even the most experienced gardeners. A serious pest, not to be ignored.  I have found them on my emerging green beans already, whereas last year they didn't bother them.

We've compiled some helpful information and tips to help you protect your plants.

Per the Horn Farm Community Garden Rules:

• Herbicides are NOT permitted.
• If insecticides or fungicides are used, a 2 foot unplanted border must be maintained within the plot.
• Environmentally safe insecticides and fungicides are preferred.

Organic gardening is encouraged. Many of our community gardeners prefer to garden organically, please consider this as you determine the best plan of action for your fruits and vegetables.

CUCUMBER BEETLES

© The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef311.asp

Striped Cucumber Beetles (right):  yellow and are 1/4" long with black heads and three wide black stripes on wing covers. Larvae: slender white grubs.

Spotted Cucumber Beetle (left):  greenish yellow and are 1/4" long with 11 black spots on wing covers. Larvae: white, 1/2" long grubs with brown heads and brown patches on first and last segments.

Last year, the Striped Cucumber Beetle was the most prevalent although I did see a few spotted beetles.

What they Eat

squashes , pumpkins, cucumbers, gourds, watermelons, and cantaloupes

BUT.. they will also eat beans, corn, peas, and blossoms of many garden plants.

They swarm on seedlings, feeding on leaves and young shoots, often killing plants; they also attack stems and flowers of older plants and eat holes in fruit.

They lay their eggs in the soil at the base of plants in clusters over several weeks. Larvae feed on roots of plants.

Diseases they Transmit

Bacterial Wilt

© The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture

http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/images/bacwilt.jpg

Feeding beetles can transmit Bacterial Wilt and Squash Mosaic Virus.

Life Cycle:

One to Two generations per year.  One in spring, one in August. But depending on weather and temperature, peak activity can spike every 30-60 days as new generations emerge. Adults can live 60 days or more.

What to Do

1. If you see one, smash it. (Oldest gardening tip in the world.) 

2. Cover seedlings or plants with floating row covers (or frost blankets) until the initial emergence has passed or hand pollinate if desired.

These mesh covers allow sunlight and water in but keep bugs out. Unfortunately weeds will still grow under them too. Some beetles will still appear throughout summer but the populations are much lower. Cover again in early August before they reappear, or as populations start to rise, BE SURE to watch for trapped beetles under your mesh, inspect regularly!

3. Hold off planting your curcurbits until populations die down. Or start them at home in larger pots, replanting later in the spring.

4. Use Cucumber Beetle Traps (this is just one place to buy them, search around)

5. Attract beneficial insects by planting flowers and herbs that attract them.

6. Include plants that repel them in your garden.

Attract Beneficial Insects

Insects that prey on cucumber beetles and their larvae:

Tachnid flies, soldier beetles, parasitic nematodes and braconid wasps. Lacewings and ladybugs eat the eggs

Plant flowers and plants that help attract beneficial insects and also have repellent qualities.  Be aware that most sprays and chemicals used to thwart the bad insects also kill the good one's.

Here's a few:

Dill, Catmint, Gazania, Nasturtium, Yarrow, Sweet Alyssum, Dandelions, and any nectar producing plants with small flowers.

Plants that have repellent qualities:

Broccoli, calendula, catnip, goldenrod, nasturtiums, radish, rue and tansy. If you want to try marigolds to repel them use the more pungent varieties like African, French or Mexican marigolds. The more common marigolds may actually attract them.