Photo and text used courtesy Clemson University
Cooperative Extension Service.

It is a much greater problem along the coast and for about 40 miles inland. It is especially important on many fall-grown crops in this area. In addition to leaf damage, it can cause serious below-ground damage as a worm.

It is related to the southern corn rootworm adult. The banded cucumber beetle has become a major pest on sweet potatoes. The larval stage causes greatest damage to sweet potatoes, although the adult may cause considerable damage above the ground to cucurbits.