10 
ASPARAGUS. 
Asparagus Beetle. Crioeeris asparagi, Linn. 
CRIOCERIS ASPARAGI —Beetle, larva, and eggs, all magnified; natural length of egg 
and beetle shown by lines. 
Attack of Asparagus Beetle is not often reported as a wide-spread 
infestation, but sometimes it does a deal of harm locally, chiefly by 
the grubs feeding on the leaves, and on the tender rind of the shoots, 
Thus, besides general damage, the portion of the shoots above where 
they have been barked perishes, and the beginning of the attack is 
shown by patches of pale brown shoots, or withered sprays, being 
observable amongst the light green feathery growths of the Asparagus 
early in the summer. Where this is seen, attention should at once be 
given to getting the attack under, which otherwise may very likely 
continue in successive generations until autumn. 
The attack is always more or less present, but in the past season 
some rather more special observation than usual was forwarded. 
On July 8rd specimens of the Asparagus Beetle were sent me from 
the Toddington Orchard Grounds, Winchcombe, Glos., by the super- 
intendent, Mr. C. D. Wise, showing the severe damage which was 
being caused to the Asparagus by this infestation, and begging for any 
information which might help to get rid of the pest. 
The life-history of the attack is that the beetles appear early in the 
summer ;—so far as I have found record, from what have passed the 
winter in the chrysalis or pupal state (but I have no personal know- 
ledge on this point). These beetles are very easily recognizable by 
the somewhat cross-shaped markings on their wing-cases, from which 
they take their occasional name of ‘ Cross-bearer.’’ They are of a 
narrow, straight shape, only a quarter of an inch long, by a little 
more than a third of that measure across the wing-cases. The head 
