226 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



destroyed. The large roots are also attacked and large patches of bark 

 removed. They continue to feed underground until fall, when they 

 are full grown and remain dormant dviring the winter, transforming 

 into delicate pup^e in the spring and after about two weeks emerge 



as adult insects. The larvas and pupae are 

 usually found within a radius of fifteen 

 inches from the trunks and at a depth from 

 two feet to less. The adults appear about 

 May to begin egg-laying and disappear 

 in June. 



Distribution. — This beetle occurs through- 

 out the northern and central parts of the 

 State, as far south as Tulare County. 



Food Plants. — The larval forms work 

 upon the roots and the adults w^ork upon the foliage and fruit of prac- 

 tically all the commercial varieties of grapes. 



Control. — -Thorough cultivation, close to the bases of the vines, will 

 kill many of the larvae and pupa?. The adults may be kept in check 

 by repeated applications of arsenical sprays. Jarring them into recep- 

 tacles, containing oil, is also recommended. 



Fig. 225. — Adoxus obscurus 

 Linn. (Original.) 



THE COMMON ASPARAGUS BEETLE. 



Crioceris asparagi Linn. (Family Chrysomelidse). 

 (Fig. 226.) 



General Appearance. — The adult beetles are slightly less than one 

 fourth of an inch in length and very slender. The color is metallic 

 bluish-black with red thorax marked with black dots. The reddish- 



FiG. 226. — The common asparagus beetle {Crioceris asparagi Linn.), a, adult; b, 

 egg on leaf; c, newly hatched larva; d, full-grown larva; e, pupa (all much enlarged) ; 

 f, eggs on asparagus buds — slightly enlarged. (After Chittenden.) 



yellow or cream colored wing covers are marked with black. The eggs 

 are elongate, about one tenth of an inch long, dark brown or black 

 and stuck to the shoots by one end. The larvae are shiny olive gray 



