Meet the insects that infect cucumbers!

Cucumber in the garden Cucumber in the garden cucumber plants stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

Cucumber is the fruit derived from the annual cucumber plant (Cucumis sativus-Sikios the day). It belongs to the family of Zucchini such as zucchini, watermelon and melon. Cucumber is a reptile, climbing plant and is grown outdoors in the summer months and in greenhouses the rest of the year. The cucumber is infested with various insects which are found in its foliage, shoots and flowers. Get to know the insects that infect cucumbers:

Liriomyza

cucumber leaf damage from leaf miner worm cucumber leaf damage from leaf miner worm. Selective Focus cucumber plant insects stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

There are three species of liriomus that infect cucumbers, Liriomyza bryoniae, Liriomyza trifoliae and Liriomyza huldobrensis. These are very small flies 2mm long. The characteristic of the infestation is the galleries on the leaves which fall due to their reduced photosynthetic activity. Indirect damage is also caused to the plants since this creates gateways for other pathogens (eg fungi).

As a precautionary measure, the immediate removal of the affected leaves and the sun disinfection of the soil are mentioned. It is also reported that plowing the soil destroys the wintering forms of the insect, as it exposes the nymphs to adverse environmental conditions. Its timely marking is achieved only by placing yellow adhesive traps.

For more information, look here:

Floury

Cotton whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) adults and pupae on a cotton leaf underside Cotton whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) adults and pupae on a cotton leaf underside. it is an important pest of many plants bemisia tabaci stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

The mealybugs (Bemissia tabaci and Trialeurodes vaporiorum) mainly infect the leaves of the cucumber by sucking juices. They occur in dense populations in summer, usually from May to October.

It is difficult to control with the known plant protection products because it multiplies very quickly at high temperatures, so the plantation is re-attacked. Flour protection is achieved by using specific types of nets in greenhouses.

For more information, look here:

Thrips

Pest damaged cucumber leave caused by harmful insects, plant fungi, thrips and other diseases Pest damaged cucumber leave caused by harmful insects, plant fungi, thrips and other bacterium diseases. thrips stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

There are two types of thrips that infect cucumbers, the tobacco thrips (Thrips tabaci) and the California thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis). They significantly degrade plant production and are carriers of viruses. Adult insects suck sap from the leaves and flowers and lay their eggs on all the soft parts of the aboveground part (flower petals, leaves, shoots), while the larvae remain motionless and suck the sap of the plant. On the leaves at the points of infestation they create a gray spot.

Precautionary measures include solar disinfection of the soil and destruction of previous crop residues and weeds (potential hosts).

For more information, look here:

Tetranychos

Sweet potato plant infected red spider mite Sweet potato plant infected of red spider mite tetranychus plant stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

There are two species of caterpillars that infect cucumbers are Tetranychus urticae and Tetranychus turkestani. Each female lays 50-90 eggs. Its lifespan is 7-30 days. The colonies form on the lower surface of the leaves where slightly gray spots are formed. Flowers and young shoots are not usually affected. However, in cases where large populations develop then they can cause poor plant growth, leaf deformation and premature fruit ripening.

Preventive measures include the use of yellow adhesive traps and the removal of infected shoots. Also the deep plowing before the beginning of the cultivation destroys the wintering forms of the blackflies. Finally, the preventive measures include increasing the distance between the plants for better aeration, destroying the weeds around the crop and the frequent control of the crop in the places where the infestations are located.

For more information, look here:

Aphids

Myzus persicae, known as the green peach aphid or the peach-potato aphid, is a small green aphid pest of peach, beet and potato crops. It is a vector of viruses causing plant diseases. Myzus persicae, known as the green peach aphid or the peach-potato aphid, is a small green aphid pest of peach, beet and potato crops. It is a vector of viruses causing plant diseases. Myzus persicae stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

There are 3 species of aphids that infect the cucumber, the green aphid of the peach (Myzus persicae), the pink aphid of the potato (Macrosiphum euphorbiae) and the Aulacorthum solani. The infestations start in May with the winged individuals of the insect. Insects very quickly develop large populations on the lower surface of the leaves, where they suck the juices and cause the leaves to twist. The leaves dry out and smoke develops on the honey-like secretions secreted by the insects on the leaves. The main problem posed by leaf smoke is the reduction of their photosynthetic activity.

Preventive measures include the use of yellow adhesive traps and the removal of infected shoots.

For more information, look here:

Nematodes

Ascariasis is a disease caused by the parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides for education in laboratories. Ascariasis is a disease caused by the parasitic roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides for education in laboratories. Nematoda stock pictures, royalty-free photos & images

The nematodes are tiny worms 0,15 cm long, which enter the roots of the plant from the ground. Females form tumors on the roots in which they form their eggs. Their biological cycle lasts 15-21 days depending on the conditions. Ideal growing conditions are soil temperature 25-28oC and high soil moisture.

As a precautionary measure are mentioned solar disinfection and crop rotation with plants belonging to the family of rapeseed vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, etc.) or bulbous vegetables (garlic, leek, onion, etc.).

For more information, look here:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Email
Print
• Tips for growing plants
• Solutions to garden problems
• Ideas for landscaping your yard

Subscribe to our newsletter.