INSECTS AFFECTING ASPARAGUS. 



The Asparagus Beetle. 



( Hoct ris asparagi. 

 This insect was introduced into America from 

 Europe about thirty years ago, and at once became 

 very destructive to asparagus in the region of New 

 York City. It has since spread over a large area, 

 being reported in 1890 as far west as Ohio. Accord- 

 ing to Professor Comstock its life-history may be 

 briefly summarized as follows: "Upon the appear- 

 ance of the plants in early spring, and just before the 

 cultivators are ready to begin bunching for the early 

 market, the beetles come forth in great numbers from 

 their hibernating quarters — under sticks, stones, rub- 

 bish, and especially under the splinters of wood on 

 fences and under the scaly bark of trees — and com- 

 mence gnawing the tops of the } T oung plants. They 

 pair and lay their eggs very soon. The eggs (Fig. 

 109, a) are oval and are placed endwise on the 

 plant, usually in rows of two to seven. In from 

 seven to ten days the young larva? begin to make 

 their appearance. In form they bear a close resem- 

 blance to the Colorado Potato Beetle larvae. The 

 general color is grayish olive with sinning black head 

 and brown legs. When full grown (b) they measure 

 a little over three-tenths of an inch." The larva 1 

 feed upon the outer bark of the asparagus, and 



