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How to Manage Pests
UC Pest Management Guidelines
Corn
Cucumber Beetles
Scientific names:
Western spotted cucumber beetle: Diabrotica undecimpunctata undecimpunctata
Western striped cucumber beetle: Acalymma trivittatum
Banded cucumber beetle: Diabrotica balteata
Spotted cucumber beetle: Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi
(Reviewed 1/06,
updated 1/06)
In this Guideline:
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The western spotted cucumber
beetle and the western striped
cucumber beetle occur throughout California. The other two species occur primarily in southern
California. Cucumber beetles (also called corn rootworm beetles) overwinter as
adults and are active beginning in early spring. Adults lay eggs at the base of
plants. As soon as they hatch, larvae begin to feed on plant roots. They
complete their development in the soil. There are about three generations a
year.
Cucumber beetles are about 0.36 inch (1 cm)
long and either have a greenish yellow background with black spots or
alternating black and yellow stripes. They fly readily and migrate into
cultivated areas from alfalfa and other crops and from uncultivated lands.
Cucumber beetles feed on corn leaves, tassels, and silks. Damage is
usually minimal. In some situations, larvae may cause serious injury by feeding
on roots, and young plants can be killed or stunted.
Cucumber beetles are attacked by a variety of natural enemies, the
most important being a parasitic tachinid fly, Celatoria diabroticae. Treatment is rarely required to control cucumber
beetles.
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UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Corn
UC ANR Publication 3443
Insects and Mites
L. D. Godfrey, Entomology, UC Davis
S. D. Wright, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County
C. G. Summers, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
C. A. Frate, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County
Acknowledgement for contributions to Insect and Mites:
M. J. Jimenez, UC Cooperative Extension, Tulare County
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