Adults also feed on beans, peas, corn and blossoms of other plants. Most important, these beetles are vectors of a serious cucurbit disease known as bacterial wilt. Plants infected with the disease wilt quickly with leaves drying out prior to plant death. These beetles introduce the bacteria into the plants through the fecal contamination of feeding wounds. This is the only natural method of infection known.
Beetles also spread squash mosaic virus.
The head and antennae are dark colored. Wings are covered with very small punctures clearly seen under magnification. Eggs are light yellow or orange colored, and round to oval shaped. Larvae are white with a dark head and have three pairs of legs on the thorax. Life Cycle and Habits Adult beetles overwinter and leave Their hibernating quarters in the spring when temperatures reach 65 degrees F or more.