CHAPTER VI 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO ASPARAGUS 



Asparagus was introduced into America with the early settlers 

 from Europe, and was cultivated here for two hundred years 

 before being troubled with insects. Few edible plants down to 

 the time of the Civil War have enjoyed such immunity from the 

 ravages of insects. The principal insect enemies of asparagus 

 are two leaf-beetles, both imported from the Old World, and 

 limited for food supply to this plant. 



The Common Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris asparagi Linn.), 

 as its English name indicates, is the more abundant asparagus 



Fig. 52.— Common asparagus beetle, a. Beetle; b, egg; c, newly-hatched larva; d, 

 full-grown larva; e, pupa— all enlarged. (Author's illustration) 



beetle and by far the most important foe of this plant. Its first 

 appearance was noted in this country at Astoria, near New 

 York City, in i860, where it was introduced about 1856. 



The injury inflicted by this insect is due to the work of both 

 adults and larvae upon the tender shoots, which they render 

 unfit for market early in the season. Later they destroy by 

 defoliation growing plants, and are particularly injurious to 



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