Striped cucumber Beetle and Western Striped Cucumber Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract

The striped cucumber beetle [StCB; Acalymma vittatum (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)] and the western striped cucumber beetle [WStCB; Acalymma trivittatum (Mannerheim)] are closely related species of herbivores endemic to North America that specialize on Cucurbitaceae plants. StCB and WStCB are key pests of cucurbit crops that can reduce quantity and quality of yield or even kill plants, especially seedlings, by feeding and by vectoring pathogens. Insecticides can be used to control StCB and WStCB, but a number of more selective nonchemical management methods are also available to help control these pests. Here, we describe the biology, life stages, and damage caused by StCB and WStCB and discuss methods for managing these pests in cucurbit crops.