Red pumpkin beetle
Bright orange beetles that chew holes in the leaves and flowers of gourds, pumpkins and cucumbers, especially young plants.
Also known as: Pumpkin beetle, Cucurbit beetle
Symptoms and identification
Round or irregular holes in seedling leaves and young leaves, chewed flowers and scarred fruit. Bright orange-red beetles fly off when disturbed. Seedlings may be completely eaten.
Causes
The beetles emerge from the soil in spring and early summer and feed on cucurbits. Their larvae live in the soil and feed on roots.
Organic treatment
Hand-pick beetles in the early morning when they are sluggish and drop them into soapy water. Dust leaves with wood ash or spray neem oil every 5–7 days on young plants.
Prevention
Protect seedlings with netting until they flower. Hoe the soil around plants to expose larvae, and clear old cucurbit vines after harvest.
Chemical treatment (use with care)
For heavy attacks, use an insecticide labelled for cucurbit beetles, applied in the evening to protect pollinators.