From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Omaha, NE

How do you recogize the "cuke" beetles and other bugs I have read about on this site? This is my first year growing pumpkins "for fun". I went out to water tonight and notice these little bugs that looked like off color ladybugs. They were on the closed male flowers.

7/20/2001 10:16:40 PM

Western Pa.

First time,

Sounds like a cuke beetle to me! Type " cuke beetle" into the search box, and the 4th or 5th posting will say gallery photo. They can be spotted, or have stripes.

kilr

7/21/2001 7:44:44 AM

Eagan,Minnesota

Cuke beatles are longer then ladybugs and are yellowish green with stripes.....Chris

7/21/2001 1:54:38 PM

Omaha, NE

kilrpumpkins,
Thanks for the referral to the photo gallery. I definately have cuke beetles, and lots of them. I am guessing from reading the diaries and message boards that they are not good. What should I do? I don't plan on eating any of the pumpkins, but what type of chemicals won't hurt the growth of the pumpkins.

Karen

7/21/2001 3:29:14 PM

Long Island,New York

The weapon of choice for ccb's (cucumber beetles) is Sevin. Available at most garden stores/kmarts etc....spray in the evening after the bees have gone home for the night...spray all the leaves and under the canopy.Its VERY effective for ccb's. Do NOT spray the very new growth at the tips of the plant if possible. Do NOT spray in heat of the day. And you DON'T have to increase the dosage...check the label but I think 1 tbs per gal is the dose rate. It is a bee killer and thats a NO-NO, so spray after they are gone........G

7/21/2001 4:43:20 PM

Omaha, NE

Thanks!! Going to get some Sevin today. I went out to the garden today and the either the heat or the ccb are taking their toll. The leaves were drooping, some were chewed on, and some looked off color. Is it okay when watering to get the leaves wet? I had read somewhere that it is better to water around the roots.

Karen

7/21/2001 6:00:02 PM