9 
inquiry developed the fact that the species had begun its destructive 
work at Astoria, near New York City, in 1860, where, it is now 
conceded, it was introduced about 1856.7 
In 1881 another European importation was detected on asparagus 
near Baltimore, Md.—the twelve-spotted asparagus beetle (Crioceris 
duodecimpunctata L.), sometimes called the “ red” asparagus beetle 
to distinguish it from the * blue” species. 
THE COMMON ASPARAGUS BEETLE. 
(Crioceris asparagi 1.) 
From the seat of its introduction at Astoria, N. Y., the common 
asparagus beetle soon spread to the asparagus farms of Queens 
County, N. Y., and by 1862 was reported to have occasioned the loss 
of over a third of the crops in certain localities, 
the loss being estimated at $50,000. 
Injury is due to the work of both adults and 
larvee upon the tender shoots, which they render 
unfit for market early in the season. Later they 
destroy by defoliation the high-grown plants, 
particularly seedlings, the roots of which are 
weakened by having their tops devoured. The 
larvee are sometimes so abundant that the black 
molasses-like fluid which they emit from their 
Fic. 2.—Common as- : : 
paragus beetle (Cri. mouths soils the hands of those engaged in bunch- 
oceris asparagi):@, ing the stalks for market; and the eggs are some- 
Dark form of bee- is : fee i Sane 
tle: Bb, light form. times laid upon the stalks in such numbers that 
Enlarged (author's the latter are rendered unsightly and even slip- 
illustration). : 
pery by their presence. Larvee, as well as beetles, 
attack the tenderest portions of the plants, but the beetles gnaw with 
seemingly equal relish the epidermis, or rind, of the stems. The 
beetles are also accused of gnawing young snoots beneath the surface, 
causing them to become woody and crooked in growth. 
In some localities it is in establishing new beds that the greatest 
trouble and expense are 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 constantly exposed to the attacks of 
this insect. 
The beetle is a beautiful creature, slender and graceful in form, 
blue-black in color, with red thorax, and with lemon-yellow and 
“The capture of this species was recorded early in the past century in Penn- 
sylvania—presumably near Hanover—and again in the vicinity of Chicago and 
Rock Island, Ill., about ten years after the discovery on Long Island; but, as the 
insect did not obtain a permanent foothold, but died out in these localities, 
these importations can not be considered introductions. 
[Cir. 102] - 
