Kingdom Animalia Order Coleoptera Genus Diabrotica Higher classification Diabrotica | Phylum Arthropoda Family Chrysomelidae Rank Species | |
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Scientific name Diabrotica undecimpunctata Similar Diabrotica, Beetle, Insect, Striped cucumber, Leaf beetle | ||
Spotted cucumber beetle
The spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) is a major agricultural pest insect of North America (see also cucumber beetle).
Contents
In the adult form, it eats and damages leaves of many crops, including cucumbers, soybeans, cotton, beans, and many others. In the larval form, which is known as the southern corn rootworm, it tunnels through the roots of young plants, stunting or killing them. These native pests have a wide range of host plants, but will readily infest a field of crop plants, most notoriously corn.
Adult beetles are greenish-yellow with six large black spots on each elytron. They are about 0.5 cm long. The larvae are yellowish and wormlike.
The spotted cucumber beetle has three subspecies, each with a different common name;
Distribution
This beetle is found throughout southern Canada, continental USA, and the central highlands of Mexico.
