This is a bug I've never seen before ... can anyone identify? My first thought was some kind of psychedelic ladybug, but I'm sure it may instead be a "foe"...

It looks like a spotted cucumber beetle to me. The larvae feed on roots and the adults on leaves and blossoms. Although a foe, he/she is quite beautiful.

I agree...Spotted Cucumber beetle....my husband calls them Diva beetles....beautiful but unpleasant and rude....


http://www.snl.salk.edu/~anja/...

I like "Diva beetles" - very fitting!

Grin

They adore potato plants. I was fighting them all the time when we grew potatos. They also love dahlias.

I think that might be the bug that carries bacterial cucumber virus. Can anybody confirm? Around here, if I want to get cucumbers, I normally need to plant bacterial wilt resistant types.

valleylynn said:They adore potato plants. I was fighting them all the time when we grew potatos. They also love dahlias.

Thank you for mentioning this, Lynn. I saw one on a blooming dahlia here -now I know that I'd better collect any I see off the plant.

Good idea Chelle.

Twit, the adult insects transmit bacterial wilt and squash mosaic virus, and more. http://www.agrisk.umn.edu/cach...

I have spotted cucumber beetles and striped ones too. Plus striped colorado potato beetles.

Not a great bunch of bugs to have around.

This seems to be the forum for IDing a pest. But I know what they are. Pest ID Forum but then no discussions on what to do about those pests.

Rita here is a thread that talks about some great ways to get rid of them. The thread "Insect Identification" in Pests and Diseases forum

I don't see any.

Ways to get rid of the spotted cucumber beetle? There are a couple of methods on the above link to a thread for the beetles and grasshoppers.

OK, I will look again.

Ok a soap mixture with some windex added. I don't think I will be spraying my cucumber plants with that.

I'm so glad I checked back to find out who this little critter was! Thanks all ... i can live with diluted soap and water and will try it next time i see the little diva

I know this thread is quite old, but hopefully someone will reply. Is this bacterial wilt on my Borage? It looked perfectly healthy this morning, and it is not lacking water as it has rained on and off about 3 days in a row now.

Hi Sarah. It looks like the base of the plant is damaged?
Other causes of wilt: Over-watered plants have the same wilted leaves as under-watered plants. Fungi such as Phytophthora and Pythium affect vascular systems, which cause wilt.
I hope this is helpful. Hope you are able to save your borage plant.