REPORT OP THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 217 



in rows of from two to seven. In from seven to ten days tlie young 

 larvae bej^in to make their appearance. In form tliey bear a close resem- 

 blance to the Colorado potato beetle larvae, but differ in coloration. The 

 general color is grayish olive, with shining black head and brown legs. 

 When full grown they measure about 8'"™ (a little over three-tenths of 

 an inch) in length. Concerning the habits of the larva we quote from 

 Fitch : 



Like the perfect insect, the larva feeds upon the asparagus only, eating holes through 

 the outer bark of the plant and preferring the tender bark on the ends of the stalks 

 and on the branches to the more tough and stringy bark towards the base of the stem. 

 It moves very slowly and is shy and timorous. As you approach it, it stops eating 

 and holding its head stiffly back it emits a drop of black fluid from its mouth. This 

 appears to be its only defense against being devoured by birds and other predaceoua 

 animals, the acrid taste of this fluid probably rendering the larva unpalatable to them. 

 It also clings tenaciously to the asparagus. Before tying the cuttings up in bunches 

 for the market they are thoroughly washed by being held usually under a pump ; but 

 these worms cling so tightly that only a part of them are washed off, and this black 

 fluid from their mouths stains and nasties the hands of the men, in bunching the cut- 

 tings, it being as sticky as molasses. 



Under ordinary circumstances the larva attains its full growth in from 

 ten to twelve days ; then, descending to the earth, it either burrows for 

 a short distance or crawls under some rubbish, and, after spinning a 

 slight cocoon, transforms to a pupa, in which state it remains, on an av- 

 erage, for ten days. 



The perfect beetles are as beautiful insects as one can readily find. 

 The head, antennae, legs, and under side of the body are shining black, 

 with a slight tinge of metallic green. The thorax is reddish-brown, with 

 two black marks in the center. The wing-covers are light-lemon yellow, 

 with a longitudinal black stripe down the center and a transverse black 

 band at its middle ; .also an irregular black spot at each comer, and a 

 border around the whole of orange-yellow. The average length is about 

 6 or T"'" (about a quarter of an inch). The form can be seen in the plate. 

 They are very shy and active, and will dodge around the stalks upon 

 being approached. Like nearly all other leaf beetles, they drop from 

 the plant when disturbed and feign death. There are several broods in 

 the course of the season, the confusion of generations making it difficult 

 to state just how many. The insects hibernate, as we have before stated, 

 as adult beetles, under whatever shelter they can find. 



REMEDIES. 



The only method used in Europe by gardeners to rid themselves of 

 this pest seems to be hand-picking ; but this of course can only be done 

 effectually where asparagus is cultivated on a small scale. The only 

 remedy which Fitch was able to suggest was turning poultry into the 

 beds where the insects were at work; this he thought would prove ef- 

 fectual. At the time of the first introduction of the pest, experiments 

 were made \fith potash solutions, salt, lime, and other substances, but 

 without good results. The last-named substance, however, seems to 

 have gTown in favor of late. Mr. A. S. Fuller, of Eidgewood, Bergen 

 County, New Jersey, has recently published an article in the American 

 Entomologist, in which he says : 



Lime is not only a very cheap and effectual cure for the evil, but one readily ob- 

 tained in all parts of the country. With a pail full of dry lime and an old broom for 

 a duster, or one of the sifters used for applying Paris green to potatoes, a man can soon 

 go over an acre of asjiaragus. The best time to apply the lime is in the morning whil% 

 the dew is on, for then a portion will adhere to the plants as well as to the grubs, and 

 during the day or days following it will be constantly dropping down, or blown about 



