What's eating my cucumber?

Cucumber beetles are the most damaging pest on cucumbers, transmitting bacterial wilt that can kill plants rapidly. Squash vine borers, aphids, and spider mites also cause serious damage. In the UK, glasshouse whitefly and red spider mite are primary threats under cover. Row covers at planting dramatically reduce beetle pressure.

Chewed leaves and flowers; larvae damage roots; adults transmit bacterial wilt, causing sudden plant collapse Cover transplants with floating row cover until flowering; hand-pick adults; apply kaolin clay; use trap crops of Blue Hubbard squash

Colonies under leaves and on growing tips; distorted growth; can transmit cucumber mosaic virus Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; encourage aphid predators; aluminum-foil mulch confuses alate (winged) aphids

Stippled, bronzed leaves with fine webbing on undersides; worse in hot, dry weather; can defoliate vines Keep plants well-watered; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap on undersides; increase humidity in glasshouses

Sudden wilting of main vines; sawdust-like frass at entry holes near the base of the stem Wrap stems in aluminum foil at base; inject Bt into entry holes; plant a second crop in midsummer to escape main flight