INSECTS INJURIOUS TO ASPARAGUS 



95 



is produced, which issues from the ground in search of food 

 and of a suitable place for the continuance of the species. The 

 duration of the life cycle, according to Fitch, is about thirty- 

 days from the time the egg is laid until the insect attains matur- 

 ity. In the District of Columbia the eggs, in the warmest part 

 of midsummer, develop in three and the pupae in five days. In 

 the present range of the species two and perhaps three broods 

 are usually produced. The beetles enter into hibernation in 

 September. 



The asparagus beetle has efficient checks in predaceous in- 

 sects, which prey upon its larvae and assist in preventing its 

 undue increase. Among these are the spotted ladybird {Mcgilla 

 maculata DeG.), the spined 

 soldier-bug {Podisns macnli- 

 vintris Say) and the bordered 

 soldier-bug (Stirctnts anchor- 

 ago Fab., fig. 53). Wasps 

 and small dragon flies also 

 prey upon the larv:e. Im- 

 mense numbers of beetles are 

 sometimes killed in winter dur- 

 ing severe cold spells follow- 

 ing "open" weather. 



Remedies.- — The common asparagus beetle, under ordinary 

 circumstances, may be held in restraint by the simplest means. 



Chickens and ducks are efficient destroyers of them, and their 

 services are often brought into requisition for this purpose. 



A practice in high favor is to cut down all plants, including 

 volunteer growth, in early spring to force the beetles to deposit 

 their eggs upon new shoots, which are then cut every few days 

 before the eggs hatch. Another measure of value consists in 

 permitting a portion of the shoots to grow and serve as lures 

 for the beetles. Here they are killed with insecticides, or the 

 plants after they become covered with eggs are cut down and 

 burned, and other shoots are allowed to grow up as decoys. 



Fig. 53.— Bordered soldier-bug. Enlarged 

 (Author's illustration, U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



