Asparagus. 



(Insects.) 



Common Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris asparagi) : A small, bright- 

 colored beetle, about one-fourth of an inch in length; head, legs, and 

 wing covers of a bright bluish-black color. There are six cream-colored 

 markings on the back of the thorax, and margins of the wing covers are 

 of a light reddish-brown. 



The brown-colored eggs are deposited on the stalks early in May, 

 and from these hatch dull gray-colored larvae. When the larva? are full 

 grown, they pass into the ground and change to pupae, and about ten days 

 later, emerge as adults. 



The life-cycle, therefore, only lasts about a month. There are 

 several broods each season, and we usually find eggs, grubs, and adults 

 upon the plants from May until autumn. The winter is passed in the 

 adult stage, under stones or beneath the bark of trees. 



Remedies : Ridge the earth to protect the young shoots, and dust 

 the plants every few days with air-slaked lime in the morning while the 

 dew is on the plant; when the cutting season is over the plants should 

 be sprayed with Paris green or arsenate c,\ lead This will kill both 

 larvae and adults. When practicable, turn the chickens into feed on the 

 larvae and beetles. 



Asparagus Beetle. — (Crioceris asparagi, 

 Linn. ) 



The Twelve-spotted 

 Asparagus Beetle en- 

 larged. 



Twelve-Spotted Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris 12-punctata) : — The 

 beetles are of a uniform reddish-orange color, with six black spots on 

 each wing cover. They are about the same size as the Common Aspara- 

 gus beetle. The habits of this bettle are much the same as the last 



Remedies : Same as for Common Asparagus beetle. 



(Fungus). 



Rust (Puccinia asparagi) : Very numerous in some plantations. 

 Numerous brown or black oval spore-producing postules break through 



