128 ASPARAGUS 
Delaware, and Maryland, and is present in Pennsyl- 
vania, New York, and Ohio. The question of distri- 
bution is an important one, as this species is rapidly 
extending its range. Ina very few years we may ex- 
pect its spread to other portions of the States in which 
it is now local, and later it will naturally move west- 
ward to Indiana and other States west and south of 
there. 
The insect passes the winter in the beetle state 
under convenient shelter, and toward the end of April 
or early in May, according to locality, or at the season 
for cutting the asparagus for market, issues from its 
hibernating quarters and lays its eggs for the first 
brood. ‘The eggs are deposited endwise upon the stem 
or foliage, and in the early spring upon the developed 
stalks, usually in rows of from two to six, or more. 
In from three to eight days the eggs hatch, the young 
larvee, commonly called ‘‘ grubs’’ or ‘‘ worms,’’ pre- 
senting the appearance indicated in Fig. 42,¢. They at 
once begin to feed, and are from ten days to a fort- 
night, according to Fitch and others, in attaining full 
growth. When full grown the larva appears as in 
Fig. 42, d. It is soft and fleshy, much wrinkled, and 
in color 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. In from five to eight or more days the 
adult beetle is produced, which soon issues from the 
ground in search of food and of a suitable place for 
the continuance of the species. In Fig. 43 is shown a 
spray of asparagus, with the common asparagus beetle 
