Cucumber beetle

Small yellow-and-black striped or spotted beetles that chew cucumbers, squash, and melons. Worse, they spread bacterial wilt — a disease that can kill an entire vine in days.

• Yellow beetles with black stripes or spots on leaves and flowers.
• Chewed leaves and scarred stems.
• Vines suddenly wilting and collapsing (bacterial wilt).

• Cover young plants with row cover — remove once flowers open so bees can pollinate.
• Choose wilt-resistant varieties.
• Hand-pick beetles in the morning when they're slow.