What plants are most vulnerable?

The impact of cucumber beetle destruction varies with species on plants. Some die in a matter of days, while others show some level of tolerance to death. The decline of plants is predictable, based on trends I have tracked over the past few decades. When developing a defense strategy, prioritize crops that are high-risk for protection. You need to know which crops need protection from beetles before they are exposed to them.

Cucumbers face the greatest risk. Bacterial wilt can kill them in just one week. I always cover cucumber seedlings as soon as I plant them. Their tender leaves are like a magnet to beetles. When possible, I plant a resistant variety, such as 'County Fair.' These can tolerate beetle pressure greater than regular cucumbers.

The squash and pumpkins have moderate susceptibility. They don't wilt as easily, but they scar instead. I apply kaolin clay to young fruit. This creates a protective barrier. During fruit set, check plants daily. Damage becomes permanent within hours.

Watermelons have a natural resistance to beetles. Their leaves and vines are tougher than beans and corn, which deters feeding by beetles. I plant them as buffer crops or deterrents around crop flowers and any other susceptible plants. I still need to monitor corn and bean plants periodically, as spotted beetles can feed on these plants in the absence of cucurbits.

I modify protection based on the risk level of the individual plant. I cluster the high-risk together. I then harmoniously prevent all the plants using the same row cover fabric to support the prevention as a whole. Trap crops then surround the medium-risk plants. Low-risk plants require inspection only once per week. Overall, this method is a time and resource-saving solution.

Read the full article: Cucumber Beetle Damage: Signs and Solutions