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we are inclined to think that the insect, through this 

 inclement part of the year, is in the imago state, 

 hidden in some secret place or other, and not in the 

 pupa state, as is ordinarily the case with insects in 

 general. Certainly, the closely-allied species, Crioceris 

 cyanella, may be found under the bark of willows 

 throughout the winter ; and Mr. W. saw a perfect spe- 

 cimen of the C. asparagi creeping about the asparagus 

 bed as soon as ever the plants appeared above ground . 

 This, of course, is an important part of the insect's 

 economy; because, if the fact be as he supposes, it will 

 be evident that the beetles, which make their appear- 

 ance in the spring, are destined to be the parents of 

 the whole of the future broods ; and, therefore, by 

 bestowing a little trouble during the time of cutting 

 the asparagus, in order to kill the few beetles then 

 visible (which, from their bright and lively colours, 

 w^ould be a very easy task), much of the subsequent 

 injury would be remedied. It is certain, however, 

 that, if this precaution be not taken, the propagation 

 of the insect is very rapid ; and as, during the sum- 

 mer months, it is to be found in the egg, larva, and 

 imago states, at the same time on the same plant, it 

 is evident that there is no regularity in the succession 

 of the broods. Even afterwards, when the asparagus 

 is full growTi, some of the plants are liable to be en- 

 tirely stripped of their foliage by the larva ; and it 

 would be worth while, even then, to catch as many 



