Crops
Acalymma vittatum (F.)
Acalymma bivittula ( Kirsch)
Striped cucumber beetle
General
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There is relatively little knowledge about this beetle, which is however very damaging to cucurbit crops in Guyana. The cucumber beetle belongs to the Galerucinea subfamily.
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Observed in the open field as well as under shelters.
- Sensitive botanical family (s)
| Cucurbits |
- Affected production area :
| Guyanne | Guadeloupe and Martinique | |
| Acalyma bivittula | ||
| Acalyma vittanum |
- Organs attacked
| Leaves | Flowers | Fruits |
Symptoms, damage
- Symptoms :
- Leaves eaten mainly by adults which feed on the blade. This is cut out, holed more or less regularly, the veins sometimes remaining in place and giving the leaves the appearance of lace.
- The damage can be very important on young plants, older plants can be completely defoliated in the event of a strong attack.
- Flowers and fruits sometimes eaten and cut.
- The larvae that live in the soil feed on the roots.
- Signs : Presence of adult insects on plants and in the crop (figures).
- Possible confusion :
Biology
To be completed
- Development cycle :
- Larvae present in the soil consume the roots
- Metamorphosis takes place in the ground
- Adults feeding on the foliage and flowers of Cucurbitaceae. Acalymma bivittula measure less than one cm. They are recognized by their black elytra with two very straight yellow stripes. The antennae are filiform, yellow and black in color.
Protection
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- Weed the crop and its surroundings.
- Produce the plants in an insect-proof nursery (instead of sowing in the open field) and check their sanitary quality before and during their introduction into the crop or shelter.
- Check the sanitary quality of the plants before and during their introduction into the crop or shelter.
- Install canvases insect-proof in the nursery, and at the openings of shelters when weather conditions allow.
- Mulch the crop (plastic or canvas) to limit the emergence of adults from the ground.
- Reason the chemical protection that is possible for this use ( e-phy site ). Remember to respect the conditions of use of phytosanitary products.
- Treat plants before uprooting in the presence of high pest populations.
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