Striped Cucumber Beetle
Beetles represent the largest Order of insects, containing over 250,000 described species. Beetle groups include tiger beetles, ground beetles, water beetles, whirligig beetles, fungus beetles, rove beetles, stag beetles, scarab beetles, wood-boring beetles, click beetles, fireflies, dermestids, ladybird beetles, darkling beetles, longhorn beetles, blister beetles, leaf beetles, weevils and many others.
Chrysomelid leaf beetles are often considered pests. This striped cucumber beetle photographed in California lays its eggs in the soil near a plant in the cucumber or melon vines. The hatched worm-like beetle larvae then bore into and feed on the roots, often weakening the plant. Plants continue to suffer as the adult beetle chews holes in the leaves. The best known pest Chrysomelid is the Colorado Potato Beetle which devours potato crops. In the summer months, these beetle are quite numerous.