36 
In from three to eight days the eggs hatch, the young larvee, com- 
monly called ‘* grubs” or ‘‘ worms,” presenting the appearance indicated 
in fig. 14, c. They at once begin to feed, and are from ten days toa 
fortnight, according to Fitch and others, in attaining full growth. 
When full grown the larva appears as in fig. 14,d. It is soft and 
fleshy, much wrinkled, and in color is dark gray or olive, which usually 
becomes lighter and yellowish with age. The mature larva enters the 
earth, and here, within a little 
rounded, dirt-covered cocoon 
which it forms, the pupa state 
is assumed. The pupa is yel- 
lowish in color and its appear- 
ance is sufficiently shown by 
the illustration (fig. 14, ¢.) In 
from five to eight or more 
days the adult beetle is pro- 
duced, which soon 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 maturity, but 
the time is shorter in the hot- 
ter parts of a season than in 
the cooler days of May or 
September. In the District 
of Columbia the eggs, in the 
warmest part of midsummer, 
develop in three days and the 
pupe in five days. From this 
Fic. 15.—Spray of asparagus, with common asparagus it may be estimated that, in 
beetle in its different stages; asparagus top at right, f 
showing eggsand injury—naturai size (from Chitten- the very wal mest weather p) the 
den, Yearbook of U. 8. Department of Agriculture, development of the insect may 
1896). é 
be effected in about three 
weeks from the time the egg is laid. In colder climates and in 
spring and autumn the development from egg to beetle will require 
from four to perhaps seven weeks. In the northern range of the 
species two and perhaps three broods are usually produced, and farther 
southward there is a possibility of at least afourth generation. In the 
latitude of the District of Columbia the beetles usually disappear to 
enter into hibernation in the latter days of September. 
The common asparagus beetle has very efficient checks in the 
shape of predaceous insects, which prey upon its larve and assist in 

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