Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Diabrotica undecimpunctata

Appears: Early spring and all summer long.

Detrimental: This is quite a pest in your garden. Known for damaging cucumbers, squashes, corn, and soy plants, they also damage hibiscus and roses. Most of the damage these beetles (and the Striped Cucumber Beetle) spread is through bacteria. The beetles carry bacteria in their gut and spread it as they feed on plants. Once the bacteria are inside a plant, it is spread through the plants vascular system causing the plant to wilt and die. Unfortunately, the beetles are attracted to the dying vegetation and pick up more bacteria and continue spreading it.

Size: 5 – 9mm long