Here's why:
* Small: They are about 1/4 inch long.
* Crawling insect: They are beetles and therefore crawl.
* Black body: Their bodies are primarily black.
* Yellow vertical stripes on back: They have three distinct yellow stripes running vertically down their back.
However, it's always best to confirm with a visual reference or insect identification guide. To help you narrow it down, consider:
* Where did you see it? Cucumber beetles are commonly found in gardens, especially near cucurbit plants (cucumbers, squash, melons).
* What was it doing? They often feed on leaves and stems, which could be helpful in identifying them.
Please note that there are other insects with similar characteristics, so it's important to consider the context of where you saw the insect.