author(s)
Falade MJ

abstract
Cucumber production has gained recognition as one of the essential market vegetables in Nigeria because of the continued awareness of the numerous health benefits attached to its consumption. This has progressively affected its cultivation, leading to increased insect pest outbreak. Based on the above, the study was conducted at the Ekiti State University Teaching and Research Farm, Ado-Ekiti, to ascertain the entomological and beneficial pest associated with the production of cucumber and the damage caused by each insect. Cucumber variety Cu 999 was planted at a spacing of 30cm x 30cm. Insect feeding modes and frequency of occurrence were recorded on the plant from 6 am to 7 pm in 2 hours slots catches, which were done twice per week. The collected insect pest was identified for the damage caused to the plant. The study shows that insects were found on the stem, leaves and flowers of cucumber, some of them damaged the various parts of these plants while others were beneficial. The collection of each insect obtained consists of insect pest, predators and pollinators there were 23 insect species belonging to fifteen different families and seven orders. Out of these, 23 species belonged to Homoptera (44%), which has the highest frequency of occurrence. This was closely followed by Coleoptera (39%), Hemiptera (21.7%), Orthoptera (13.0%) and Hymenoptera (13%). The other Lepidoptera and Dermaptera had an occurrence of 4.3% each. The study concluded that there were varied degrees of entomological and beneficial insect pest associated with cucumber production.