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Cucurbit Farms are supposed to be small in size and are well known to invite a large group of insects. Cucumber crop, in particular, is observed with a special insect group called Cucumber beetle that ruins the growth of vegetables. Beetles are group of insects that mainly target the ground plants and since cucumber plants are creepers, the destruction is wide. There are different species of cucumber beetles based on the external appearance of their elytra, which includes spotted cucumber beetle, banded cucumber beetle, striped cucumber beetle, etc. Size of these beetles is mostly less than an inch in length.
Cucumber beetles will become active in spring months during which the range of the temperature is about 60 Fahrenheit. While such season, the adult beetles start looking for females to mate and from there the life cycle starts and completes within a week. The roots of the cucumber plants will be at high risk of damage when these beetles are at larval stage. After that, adult cucumber beetles take on the task of spoiling the cucumber plants either directly or indirectly.
Direct injure created by these beetles in the crop will consist of the feeding of leaves that withhold the fertility of the plants. Indirect injuring includes the spread of leaf-wilting bacteria over the plants. Cucumber beetles not only infect cucumbers but also other crops like peas, beans, sunflower, rose plants and few ornamental plants. Underground crops like peanuts, corn, etc. are also damaged by the larvae of cucumber beetles. Initially, the plants are identified with yellowing of leaves indicating the stoppage in supply of nutrients and later the leaves get dried and finally wither from branch.
Immediate treatment measures are very much in need as the damage caused by these beetles start from its early life stage itself. As far as farms are concern Organic way of treatment has shown better results when compared to a conventional way of spraying synthetic insecticides over the crops. Pure neem oil, one such Organic product extracted from the Neem leaves or seeds containing a high concentration of Azadirachtin can be a best solution in controlling cucumber beetles. A note should be made that before the application the neem oil, proper identification of beetles is essential so that the spray of neem oil at appropriate breeding areas can effectively repel their population. The strong foul odor of neem oil is the vital factor for keeping the beetles from feeding on the plant leaves. Thus spraying of Neem oil particularly certified by Environmental Protection Agency of US once or twice in a week will stop the beetles from further invasion into the farms.
Author: Adam Teaser - neem
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