Cucumber Beetles

Acalymma

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Acalymma: /əˈkalɪmə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Acalymma gouldi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Acalymma gouldi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Acalymma gouldi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Acalymma gouldi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Acalymma gouldi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.
Acalymma gouldi by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Summary

Acalymma vittatum, or the striped cucumber beetle, is a major pest of cucurbit crops with distinctive coloration and significant impacts on agriculture.

Physical Characteristics

Adult striped cucumber beetles have distinctive yellow-colored elytra with three black stripes. Their heads can be black or brown, and the prothorax is yellow. The pupa is around 10 mm in length with a white abdomen that narrows towards a rounded tip.

Identification Tips

Stripes on the elytra span the entire length of the beetle, differing from Western corn rootworms which have similar coloration but shorter elytra and stripes that fade before reaching the tip.

Habitat

Commonly found on cucurbit plants like cucumbers, pumpkins, and other members of the gourd family.

Distribution

From eastern North America to the Rocky Mountains, as far south as Mexico and as far north as southern Canada. Acalymma trivittatum is found west of the Rocky Mountains.

Diet

Adults feed on the leaves and pollen of cucurbit plants, larvae feed on plant roots.

Life Cycle

Adults emerge in the spring after overwintering, feeding on early blooming plants before moving to cucurbits. Females lay eggs in the soil near plant bases, with larvae feeding on roots.

Reproduction

Mating occurs after adult beetles aggregate on host plants, with pheromones released by males attracting females.

Predators

Natural enemies include insectivorous birds, predatory insects, parasitoid wasps like Tetrastichus giffardianus.

Ecosystem Role

As pests, they play a significant role in affecting plant health in agricultural ecosystems.

Economic Impact

Considered serious pests of cucurbit crops, leading to reduced harvest and financial losses for farmers.

Health Concerns

Transmit the bacteria Erwinia tracheiphila, which can infect and harm plants.

Collecting Methods

  • Trap using food bait
  • Hand collection during daytime

Preservation Methods

  • Ethanol preservation
  • Freezing for short-term storage

Evolution

Known for coevolution with cucurbit plants, displaying resistance to cucurbitacins found in host plants.

Similar Taxa

Misconceptions

Often confused with Western corn rootworms, which are longer and have a different stripe pattern.

Tags

  • Cucumber Beetle
  • Acalymma vittatum
  • Agricultural pest
  • Insect pest management