Not known to transmit any human or animal pathogens.

Passionfruit yellow mosaic virus, mimosa mosaic virus, and purple granadillamosaic virus (Germain, 2000).

Sweep net/beat cloth sampling is an effective method for sampling Diabrotica speciosa.
Visual sampling may be conducted in nursery settings or in crops or crop life stages that are not appropriate for sweep net sampling or beat cloth sampling (e.g., seedlings, fruiting stages of crops, etc.)

A Climate suitability map is now available. This survey should only be considered in the states with appropriate climate conditions and suitable hosts for this insect.

The map was produced by the SAFARIS Team. SAFARIS is a modeling framework that enables PPQ to quickly respond to emergencies, efficiently survey for pests, and assess potential pest impacts by collecting critical geospatial data and developing predictive models. SAFARIS is developed and maintained by the NC State University, Center for Integrated Pest Management (CIPM) with support from PPQ PERAL.

The SAFARIS team used a climate suitability model for cucurbit beetle occurrence in the continental United States, that was developed by PPQ PERAL and NCSU CIPM, to support CAPS survey planning. The model predicts the suitability of an area for cucurbit beetle occurrence based on the likelihood of favorable climate conditions for the insect occurring using tools and data within SAFARIS. The detailed method used in this assessment is described here.

Beetles can be present anytime during the growing season. Adult populations tend to be highest when hosts are in the flowering period. In studies conducted at Hurlingham, Argentina, adults were most prevalent from spring through fall in pumpkin flowers, pigweed, sunflowers, alfalfa, corn silks, peppers, peanuts, and potatoes.
In grapes, adult beetles eat young leaf edges during budding, which usually does not seriously damage the host. During the blooming period beetles feed on flowers which results in fruit reduction.

Sweep netting
When planning a sweep netting survey for Diabrotica speciosa, only use sweep nets on appropriate crops (e.g., corn, small grains, soybean) and at appropriate stages of the plant"s development. The crop may be damaged from sweep net sampling; for instance, sweep net sampling may dislodge fruits such as tomatoes and peppers.

Beat Cloth
For fragile crops or crops with easily damaged flowers or fruit (e.g., tomato, pepper, or grapevines), gently tap plants and leaves with a beat cloth underneath to capture falling insects and avoid dislodging any flowers or fruits.

Visual survey
Visual survey should only take place when using a sweep net or beat cloth is inappropriate. Detection of adults is straightforward, as they feed from dawn until dusk.
Visual surveys for larvae are not recommended because larvae in the soil are difficult to detect. First instar larvae are very difficult to sample and even large infestations can go undetected until extensive host damage is visible. Larger larvae can occasionally be observed feeding on the roots of plants immediately after pulling out of the soil, but efficient sampling and counting methods have not been developed for this species.

This species has a large host range. Surveys may be conducted in any area that has host material including field crops and nurseries.

Adult D. speciosa are defoliators and are most likely to be present on leaves and flowers.
While not recommended for survey, larvae may be found by digging around the roots of unhealthy or failing host plants.

Surveyors should complete twenty sweeps at each sampling site. All insects collected during a set of sweeps constitute one sample. Once 20 sweeps have been completed at the sampling site, the net should be flipped over or quickly closed to prevent escape. The net should be inverted into a gallon-sized re-sealable bag or other container for transportation back to the lab. The bag/container should be placed in a cooler for transportation.

At the lab, the entire re-sealable bag or container should be placed in the freezer for a minimum of 24 hours. After this time, the bag contents should be dumped into a sorting pan.

Sort the samples: remove debris and non-target species. The taxonomic level of sorting will depend on the expertise available on hand and can be confirmed with the identifier. Some states may have taxonomic support, access to local training aids, or identification guides.

If possible, screen for the target pest. Screening is a process of eliminating non-target families, genera, or "look-a-like" species in the sample. When in doubt, forward the specimens to the identifier.

Once sorting and screening (if possible) have been completed, place specimens into vials of 75-90% ethanol and submit for identification. Follow the instructions in Procedures for Submitting Survey Samples to Domestic and Other Identifiers for additional guidance on sample submission.

Confirmation of D. speciosa is by morphological identification.
Confirmation by a chrysomelid specialist is required.

Diabrotica ID is a tool designed to identify Diabrotica species that originate from North and Central America. This is helpful to users lacking in expertise on taxonomy of Diabrotica. The tool treats and provides identification support for all 112 North and Central American species of the genus recognized by the authors. Each species is fully illustrated, treated with a fact sheet, and included in the key.

Diabrotica speciosa is almost identical to D. balteata (see Fig. 6 in the CAPS Datasheet), which is widely present in the southern United States. Diabrotica speciosa can also be confused with Diabrotica viridula (not present in the United States) and other pestiferous Diabrotica species in South America.