Cucurbit Beetle
Diabrotica speciosa
Photo by Stanislav Krejcik, www. meloidae.com
The Cucurbit beetle (Diabrotica speciosa) is a pest of maize, the cucumber family, squash, tomatoes, and several other hosts. Surveys were conducted because of the presence of potential host material in Wyoming and the high potential for establishment after introduction. Although Diabrotica speciosa is currently only found in South and Central America, several species of curcubit beetles are endemic to the United States.
The Cucurbit beetle portion of the Small Grains Commodity Survey is conducted by the Wyoming Pest Detection / CAPS Program. The survey is visual examination of the host plant. Host plant fields were swept with a net and visually surveyed June through August. Sweep net samples were examined for suspects at the University of Wyoming.
