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. When cultivated cucurbit plants begin to emerge through the soil surface, large numbers of beetles may suddenly appear and feed on the seedlings or crawl into soil cracks in reach of sprouting seed. Beetles soon mate and continue feeding throughout the season. Eggs are laid 8-25 days after mating.