ry: 
INJURIOUS INSECTS 
HILE a number of different insects feed upon the 
asparagus plant, there are only two species 
which have so far become extensively dis- 
tributed and caused serious damage in the 
United States. Both of these were imported from 
furope, and are limited for their food supply to the 
asparagus plant. 
THE COMMON ASPARAGUS BEETLE* 
(Crioceris asparagt) 
This beetle is by far the most important enemy 
of the asparagus plant. It was first noticed in this 
country at Astoria, L. I., now a part of New York 
City, in 1859, but its actual introduction into that 
locality occurred about 1856. ‘The injury inflicted by 
this insect 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, growing plants, and are particularly in- 
jurious to seedlings, the roots of which are weakened 
by having their tops devoured. lLarve, as well as 
beetles, attack the tenderest portions of the plants, but 
the latter gnaw with seemingly equal relish the epi- 
dermis, or rind, of the stems. ‘The beetles are also 
* Condensed from an official report by J. H. Chittenden of the United 
States Department of Agriculture. 
