The presence of a thin, sticky white strand or strands between the two sections is a positive test for bacterial wilt. Positive test results appear to be easier to obtain for cucumber and for some squash than for cantaloupe. Persistence And Transmission. The striped and spotted cucumber beetles are both common carriers of Erwinia tracheiphila. The bacterium overwinters in the digestive tract of the insect and can be transmitted to susceptible plants the following spring when the beetles become active.
Transmission occurs through wounds on leaves created by the beetles' feeding.
Use insecticides to control cucumber beetles and limit spread of the disease. Use chemicals only according to the directions on the label. Follow all directions, precautions, and restrictions that are listed. Trade names are used only to give specific information. The Alabama Cooperative Extension Service does not endorse or guarantee any product and does not recommend one product instead of another that might be similar.