Editors: W.T. Wilsey, C.R. Weeden and A.M. Shelton

Spotted Cucumber Beetle
(Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi) - Life Cycle
Click for larger image Adults:
The adult beetles measure about 1/5 inch (5 mm) long by 1/10 inch (2.5 mm) wide. The upper body surface is yellow with black spots.
Eggs:
Eggs are orange-yellow in color and are laid around the base of the host plants, often below the soil surface or in cracks in the ground. The eggs hatch in about one week.
Larvae:
The white larvae that hatch from the eggs feed for a period of 2-6 weeks, depending on temperature, on the roots and underground portion of the plant where they may damage the root system. When full grown, the larvae are about 1/3 inches ( 8 mm) long.
Pupae:
The larvae transform to pupae in the soil near the base of the plants on which they have been feeding. The white pupae transform into adult beetles in about one week.

Damage inflicted by spotted cucumber beetle on cucurbits


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Maintained by Jason D. Plate. Last updated Mar. 8th, 2007.