EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETINS. 



155 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO ASPARAGUS. 



AFFECTING THE TOPS. 



The Asparagus-beetle (Crioceris asparagi). 



At some time near the middle of the nineteenth century, there came 

 over from Europe, a beetle which has gradually extended its range until 

 at present it is prett}' well known all over the United States and Canada. 

 It reached Michigan about 1896, appearing in Berrien County. The 

 insect under discussion is a dainty, neat little creature, brightly colored 

 and polished. It is about one-fourth of an inch in length, the wing- 

 covers being reddish-yellow and cream colored, marked with black; and 

 the thorax reddish-yellow with black dots. The larvae are slimy olive- 

 grey with blackish head and legs. The elongate, black eggs, about one- 

 tenth of an inch in length, are set on end on the young shoots of 

 asparagus. They hatch in about eight days, and the larvae excavate 

 pits which become discolored and prevent the sale of the stalks. In about 

 two weeks, the larvae become full-grown and go into the ground to 

 pupate, emerging as adults after about eight days, the entire time re- 

 quired for the completion of the life cycle being about a month. This 

 allows ample time for several generations each year. The winter is 

 passed in the adult condition, under rubbish, loose bark, etc. 



Fig. 1. — Asparagus Beetle;' enlarged, a, adult beetle; d, larva; c, young larva; b, egg; 

 c, pupa. (Chittenden, year book Dept. Agr. for 1896.) 



REMEDIES. 



Fields from which the shoots are being cut, should never be sprayed 

 because of the danger to life. Leave some young shoots for the beetles 

 to lay their eggs upon, and cut and burn these shoots before they are 

 a week old, to destroy the eggs. If patches of such trap plants be 

 systematically left over the field and carefully cut and burned just 

 before the eggs hatch early in the season, there is usually little trouble 



