It was timely that in last week’s issue, we chose to spotlight cucumber beetles because they are on the move and hungry. Friday afternoon, I received an email from a grower reporting that his squash transplants were getting hammered (Figure 1). This weekend, I decided to take a look in my own garden, where I transplanted various cucurbits over a week ago, and sure enough, amidst all of the chickweed and purple dead nettle, my plants were holding on by a fine thread, being devoured by striped cucumber beetles. I say all this to bring them to your attention. Especially as we get close to melon planting, it is important for you to be scouting your fields and protecting young transplants so they can get a healthy start (Figures 2-3). A foliar application at planting or seedling tray drench just prior should provide that window of protection to allow young transplants to get established while we battle the hungry adult beetles that have just survived the winter and are looking for food. Consult the Midwest Vegetable Production Guide for the most recent recommendations. Imidacloprid products can be applied as a soil drench, and acetamiprid through foliar applications. The low-rate recommendations have provided control.
Figure 1. Striped cucumber beetles attacking squash transplant (Photo by C. Vogelwede).
Figure 2. Striped cucumber beetle feeding damage on melon transplant (Photo by John Obermeyer).
Figure 3. Adult striped cucumber beetle (Photo by John Obermeyer).