426 INSECT PESTS OF FARM, GARDEN AND ORCHARD 



and fleshy, much wrinkled, and of a dark gray or olive color, 

 with black head and legs. The mature larva drops to the ground 

 and just beneath the surface forms a little rounded earth-covered 

 cocoon within which it changes to the pupa, from which the 

 beetle emerges in about a week. Thus the complete life cycle 

 may be passed in a minimum of three weeks at Washington, D. C., 

 where there are possibly four generations in a year, while further 

 north, six or seven weeks may be required for the life cycle, and 

 there are probably only two generations. 



The asparagus-beetles are held in check by several natural 

 agencies. Several species of ladybird-beetles feed upon the eggs, 

 while numerous soldier-bugs attack the larva? which they impale 

 on their stout beaks. The adult beetles are often killed by low 

 temperature in the winter, which doubtless limits their northern 

 spread, while the eggs and larvae are sometimes killed by the intense 

 heat of summer, which will also probably limits the southern 

 spread of the species. 



Control. One of the best means of control is to keep all shoots 

 cut down in the spring so as to force the beetles to lay their eggs 

 on the young shoots, which are cut for market every few days 

 before the eggs have hatched, and hence no larvae are allowed 

 to hatch. 



Another method which has proven effective is to cut down all 

 the seed stems but a few rows here and there, so that the beetles 

 will concentrate upon them, and then poison these thoroughly 

 with arsenicals, or they may be cut down and burned and other 

 rows allowed to grow as traps. 



Air-slaked lime dusted on the plants in the morning while the 

 dew is on will destroy the soft-bodied larvae very effectively. 

 Another way to destroy the larva? in hot weather is to simply brush 

 them from the plants so that they w r ill drop on the hot soil. As 

 they crawl but slowly few will regain the plants, particularly if the 

 brushing be followed with a cultivator. 



Probably the most effective means of controlling this pest, 

 which was formerly a very difficult one to combat, is spraying with 

 arsenate of lead. Use 3 pounds to 50 gallons, to which 3 pounds 



