D3304: Deconstructing an attract-and-kill system for cucumber beetles

Several components appear to be necessary for an effective behavioral control of striped and spotted cucumber beetles, between them the worst pests of cucurbit crops in North America. The components are: (1) a long-distance attractant consisting of vittatalactone, the aggregation pheromone of the striped cucumber beetle, and possibly plant-produced volatiles; (2) bitter cucurbitacins produced by cucurbits, which are feeding stimulants to both striped and spotted cucumber beetle adults; and (3) toxicant, preferably one which is primarily a stomach poison; and (4) the formulation and means of deployment (spray, bait station, etc.). One deployment method we tested, in a factorial design to “deconstruct” the components, was a paint-roller based bait station incorporating spinosad as a toxicant, including ±vittatalactone, ±cucurbitacin-E-glycoside, and ±watermelon juice. In two separate replicated tests, one late-season and one early-season, we determined that all three factors were important for striped and spotted cucumber beetle capture, and there was no interaction detected. Vittatalactone was most influential on catch for striped cucumber beetle, and cucurbitacin for spotted cucumber beetle. Further tests of attract-and-kill tactics for cucumber beetles will clarify the best approach for selective behavior-based management of these key pests.