Cucumber Beetles and bacterial wilt

Cucumber beetles can be either spotted or striped.  They like to feed at the base of newly emerged cucumber, melon, squash, pumpkin and other crops.  The actual damage to most plants doesn’t come from the adults feeding on the leaves.  The real damage is from a bacterial wilt that the beetles transmit plant to plant while feeding.  The bacteria reproduces and eventually the plant wilts and dies.  There is no cure for bacterial wilt, but some varieties have more tolerance to bacterial wilt.  Early control of cucumber beetles is key in reducing the opportunity of having bacterial wilt.  If you do plan to spray to control beetles, keep in mind that the bees are around to pollinate.  Spray early in the morning or later in the evening when they are not as active around plants.  “Eight” or permethrin is a much friendlier bee option than “Sevin” or carbaryl.  Here are links from K-State Research and Extension with detailed information about cucumber beetles and bacterial wilt.  

https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/common-pest-problems/common-pest-problem-new/Cucumber%20Beetles.pdf

https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/common-pest-problems/common-pest-problem-new/Bacterial%20Wilt.pdf