FARMERS BULLETIN SST. 



yellow spots. (Fig. 2, a.) An extreme, light form, not imeommon in 



the southern range of the insect, is shown for comparison in figure 2, h. 



The length of the bod}^ is a trifle less than one-fourth inch. The full- 



growm larva, or grub (fig. 1, ^), is dark gray or olive, sometimes hghter 



but not infrequent!}^ very dark. Its head and legs are shining black 



^ M and its body is soft and fleshy and much 



^^ y \vTinkled. The pupa, or resting stage, 



^\ /^ J shown in figure 1, e, is yellowish. 



Fig. 1.— The common asparagus beetle: a, Beetle; b, egg; c, newly hatched larv?,; d, full-grown larva; 

 e, pupa. All enlarged. 



Injury by this insect is due to the work of both adults and larvae, 

 or "slugs," to the tender shoots, which they render unfit for market 

 early in the season. Later they destroy by defohation the high- 

 grown plants, particularly seedlings, the roots of which become weak- 

 ened when their tops are devoured. The larvae are sometimes so 

 abundant that the black molasseshke fluid which 

 exudes from their mouths soils the hands of those 

 engaged in bmiching the stalks for market, and 

 the eggs are sometimes laid upon the stalks in such 

 numbers that the latter are rendered unsightly 

 and even slippery by their presence. Larva:*, 

 as well as beetles, attack the tenderer portions 

 of the plants, but the beetles gnaw the epider- 

 mis, or rind, of the stems, seemingly with equal 

 relish. The beetles are also accused of gnawing 

 young shoots beneath the surface, causuig them 

 to become woody and crooked m growth. (See 

 illustration on title-page.) 



In some localities it is in the establishment 

 of new beds that the greatest trouble and expense arc incurred. The 

 plants must grow a year as seedlings and two more in the beds before 

 being cut for table use, and during these three years they are exposed 

 to the attacks of this insect. 



Fig. 2.— The common aspar- 

 agus beetle: a, Dark form 

 of beetle; 6, light form. 

 Enlarged. 



