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Owensboro, Ky.

Have noticed a ton of small flying critters on plants today. They are small...approx 1/8". When not flying they have yellow and black stripes running down their backs (or wings) from head to tail. ??? What are they and are they harmful to my AG's? All help appreciated. Peace Wayne

6/3/2005 6:53:41 AM

Berlin,mi.(zuhlke2@hotmail.com)

Wayne, Do a image search on google there are many good images there. Steve

6/3/2005 7:16:07 AM

Chico, Ca

sounds like cuke beetles.... get the pesticides out

6/3/2005 8:19:51 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Just came in from spraying. Looked at pics of cuke beetles, they showed black spots on yellow background, these bugs here have black and yellow stripes running from head to tail. Is it possible they are variations of the same thing?Thanks for all the help. Peace Wayne

6/3/2005 9:00:21 AM

Berlin,mi.(zuhlke2@hotmail.com)

Yes Wayne the search I did showed both the spotted one and the striped one. Kill em all the little bast#*&#. Steve

6/3/2005 9:15:22 AM

Canada

Yup last year I had both types as well, Start spraying now they can end your season early if not taken care off

Dave

6/3/2005 11:41:57 AM

Montoursville, PA

Several sources indicate the these beetle carry the first milldew, to your plants, from the soil even before wind born spore arrive. Consider preventive action, in this arena too.

For every one you do not get there will be easily ten fold next year. They spend about two weeks above ground eating your pollen and tracking milldew spore all over the leaves. Then they return, to ground and lay eggs, for next year.

In addition they grub out, on your roots, for two to three weeks before you see them above the ground. The result of the root damage they do is often mis-read to be fungal attack.

6/3/2005 11:49:54 AM

Long Island,New York

Ok...so lets get smart here...for next year....how many degree days in your area the day you experienced the beetles????

6/3/2005 3:44:59 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Glenn, The nearest I can tell Cucumber Beetles (Diabrotica barberi) require between 300-400 ggds. Hamden, CT was at 330 on June 1st. So beware as you're ahead of us!

Our Merit went out last week. ;o)

6/3/2005 5:10:21 PM

Wallingford,CT

To use degree-days, you need to know the developmental thresholds for the desired crop or pest as well as the total of degree-days required for the crop/pest to develop. The base developmental threshold is the temperature at and below which development stops. Above the base threshold, development increases until temperature reaches the upper threshold, over which development rate remains constant. Information on degree-day thresholds and development totals is available from your county agricultural agent or university agricultural extension service.

As of November 2002, the Integrated Pest Management project at the University of California offered a web page featuring models for a variety of crops, as well as beneficial insects, pest insects, nematodes, and weeds. That page is located at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PHENOLOGY/models.html . no specific info for cuke beetles. If I assume 54 and 93, then my patch is at 314 degree days as of 11:25 am today.

6/4/2005 11:29:04 AM

Long Island,New York

Cool Bart...thanks.

6/4/2005 12:22:55 PM